A helpful message I came across for seekers: -1 watchman
ISSUES OF LIFE
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov.4:23)
One might wonder what are the "issues of life" mentioned in the book of Proverbs. We learn from the Holy Scriptures that they come forth from the heart. In Matthew 6:21 God says, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". In other words, whatever we value in our mind or are occupied with, our heart will become attached to it. The heart is the seat of affection, conviction, desire, and belief--good or bad. Out of it our course is set and our action is determined, whatever the heart is holding. So, one is exhorted to "Keep (or guard) thy heart with all diligence", lest otherwise it formulate issues that bring forth great harm rather than much good.
The simple truth about the inner man (Eph.3:16) appears to be that our mind and our heart will determine our walk. If a child of God keeps his MIND stayed on the Lord and His Word, his HEART will become attached to the Lord; then the flesh will not act, and the WALK will be Godly. It does not seem to be a matter of circumstances, nor what other people say or do, but how WE think and what we do about it. The enemy of our soul works on our mind for harm, so our new life in Christ ought to guide our mind always to the things of Christ for victory.
It appears also true in a similar way that an unsaved man, who is a serious seeker after truth, will in time be blessed of God IF he receives the Savior (as John 3:16) and keeps his thoughts and desires on the Lord (Jer.29:12-13). It has been said that "a seeking sinner and a seeking Savior will always meet".
The converse truth seems then to be that if the MIND of a saint or sinner is after the world and with confidence in personal reasoning, the HEART will fix on that; and the flesh will then assert itself for pleasure, comforts, and gain, and the WALK will go astray.
For sure, our spiritual life, dear ones, will be in direct proportion to the place we give the Lord Jesus Christ in our heart and daily experience.
One will hear teaching and diverse ministry along our pathway from many sources. One should always test it by the Word of God (see John 5:39; Acts 17:11; II Tim.2:15; II Tim.3:16; Titus 1:9). Whether it is profitable often depends, too, on our state of soul. This paper is prepared with much care and prayer to be a help and honor the Lord. Comments and questions are welcome.
- By R. L. D. - Biblecounsel Collection on Internet.
ISSUES OF LIFE
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov.4:23)
One might wonder what are the "issues of life" mentioned in the book of Proverbs. We learn from the Holy Scriptures that they come forth from the heart. In Matthew 6:21 God says, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". In other words, whatever we value in our mind or are occupied with, our heart will become attached to it. The heart is the seat of affection, conviction, desire, and belief--good or bad. Out of it our course is set and our action is determined, whatever the heart is holding. So, one is exhorted to "Keep (or guard) thy heart with all diligence", lest otherwise it formulate issues that bring forth great harm rather than much good.
The simple truth about the inner man (Eph.3:16) appears to be that our mind and our heart will determine our walk. If a child of God keeps his MIND stayed on the Lord and His Word, his HEART will become attached to the Lord; then the flesh will not act, and the WALK will be Godly. It does not seem to be a matter of circumstances, nor what other people say or do, but how WE think and what we do about it. The enemy of our soul works on our mind for harm, so our new life in Christ ought to guide our mind always to the things of Christ for victory.
It appears also true in a similar way that an unsaved man, who is a serious seeker after truth, will in time be blessed of God IF he receives the Savior (as John 3:16) and keeps his thoughts and desires on the Lord (Jer.29:12-13). It has been said that "a seeking sinner and a seeking Savior will always meet".
The converse truth seems then to be that if the MIND of a saint or sinner is after the world and with confidence in personal reasoning, the HEART will fix on that; and the flesh will then assert itself for pleasure, comforts, and gain, and the WALK will go astray.
For sure, our spiritual life, dear ones, will be in direct proportion to the place we give the Lord Jesus Christ in our heart and daily experience.
One will hear teaching and diverse ministry along our pathway from many sources. One should always test it by the Word of God (see John 5:39; Acts 17:11; II Tim.2:15; II Tim.3:16; Titus 1:9). Whether it is profitable often depends, too, on our state of soul. This paper is prepared with much care and prayer to be a help and honor the Lord. Comments and questions are welcome.
- By R. L. D. - Biblecounsel Collection on Internet.
