This week we’ve been studying the things that need to be present in order for our gifts to be used in the best way possible. Positive good things like love, good intentions, order, and faith. Today, though, the verses talk about what needs to be ABSENT, in order for us to use our gifts.
Sin.
I heard a quote and I can’t stop thinking about how true it is.
“When our hearts are in ruins, no work of our hands will be useful for God’s Kingdom”. —Crystal Stine
When our hearts are full of unconfessed sins, no work of our hands will be useful for God’s kingdom.
Earlier this week, I was reading in Matthew 15 and this concept really stuck out to me. Jesus had just finished talking to the Pharisees about the outside of the cup and the many things that they did to their outside be seen. They did these things in order to be saved. They thought these works saved them and made them a good person.
When they were alone Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘What did you mean?’ Jesus called them out. He said, ‘Are you fools too. Do you not get it either??’
Jesus explained to his disciples that you can eat anything and it does not really harm you. BUT what you think about, and what you talk about it, that is what is going to harm you.
Friend, you can do all kinds of ‘good’ things. You can use your gifts and talents to do good things. You’re outside might look perfect…BUT if you have some sin hidden in your heart it will eventually come out. If you have evil thoughts in your heart, they will eventually come to the surface. Using your talents for others and doing good works will not save you; it’s Jesus.
What is your thought life like? What consumes your thoughts? What things roll around and around in your mind? Jesus gave us a list of evil thoughts that come from the heart; let’s read them and check our minds.
Murder… nope I’m sure murder is not in your mind. BUT what about hate, unforgiveness, and anger?
Adultery… no, but have you looked at someone else and wished to have their husband? What about a book… have you read a novel about adultery and been like whatever not a big deal? Maybe even imagined it in your head?
Sexual immorality… same deal? The thoughts you’ve had, the books you’ve read. Movies you’ve watched?
Deceit…False testimony… Just a little fib? A Half truth? Maybe it was even a simple thought in your head? What about yourself? Do you call yourself names like stupid, loser or ugly? Not good enough? Lies.
Slander. . . Gossip. Have you ever said something and afterwards realized that comment wasn’t necessary. Other times you might have conditions where you need to share for prayers or support… but really sometimes it is just pointless blabbing. Slander.
Theft… again, you probably haven’t robbed a bank. But what about your taxes? Texting on the job while on the clock? Stollen a happy moment from your kids?
Greed… whew. Hard one. Do you have an ‘I want’ list? What about a honey do wish list? Amazon wish list? Christian books wish list? Yikes me too! In one sense these are not wrong. It’s how we look at it. How do you view these lists? Am I writing the list to remember, and clear my mind? Or maybe to write down goals to stay focused? Not wrong…BUT if we are writing these lists and find ourselves consumed by them… thinking about them, wishing, envying what others have… That is greed.
Malice…intention or desire to do evil. Anger. Malice sounds really strong doesn’t it? Really though, any bit of intention to do evil, fits into this category. Someone pulled out in front of you and went really, really, slow and you were already running late? Do we have a bit of desire to do evil? Of course, but do we let that fill our mind, do we let it bug us all day … that would become an evil thought.
Lewdness…meaning excessive indulgence in sexual pleasures, lustful desires. Is our whole mind consumed with being sure we are dressed as sexy or sensual as possible? This is not looking nice, this is going overboard. Trying to bring attention to our bodies. Do we view sexual explicit material; via novels, tv, movies, magazines? Down right porn? What consumes our minds?
Envy… this gets me. I recently read a book ‘why her’ and I am sorry to say this can fill my mind at times. Why does she get to do …..? Why does she have…? Why can her life be easy and mine is so hard?… Sometimes it consumes my every moment. Envy; wishing for what someone else has.
Arrogance….conceit, pride, thinking the world revolves around me, self-importance, thinking we are better than others. We might be acting kind and saying kind words, but what is in our heart? Behind our backs are we thinking we are better than the person behind us at the grocery store? Are we thinking we are better than the other mom in the school pick up line… surely we are we’ve been on time every day this week! What about our husbands? Do we think we know better than them? Ouch. Do these thoughts consume our mind?
Foolishness. Folly. Does our time, money, or resources fall into the foolish category? Or Wise? Really, only YOU know that answer. Two people can be doing the exact same thing, one for the right reason and the other for the wrong. Only you know whether the thoughts that consume your mind are foolishness.
All these evils come from inside and defile a person.
All these evils come from satan and ruin a person’s ability to truly use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us.
We must get these evil thoughts out of our mind.
We must confess our sins… (not too everyone of course and not on facebook) But to a trusted friend.
Study the topic, read about what the Bible has to say about it.
Learn all you can about it.
Put it off.
Learn about something to replace it in your mind. (Perhaps a Fruit of the Spirit).
Throw yourself into thinking Godly thoughts.
Plead with the One who made you. Plead that He would help you control your thought and make the things that are within you pleasing to Him.
The ‘outside of the cup’ doesn’t matter but the inside of your heart is what matters.
When our minds are full of evil thoughts, the work of our hands will not be useful in God’s Kingdom.
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Trudie Schar is a follower of Jesus. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and called mama by four girls. She loves a good salted-carmal hot cocoa and quiet moments spent writing. You can find her writing at Learninglittlelessons.com. Trudie prays that her words always point women to strengthening their relationship with Jesus.ho
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