The Inside

[Snowy]

Woodrow Kroll: The news reports coming out of Tennessee a few years ago were shocking! Thirty-seven people in one city had been hospitalized for food poisoning. What caused the outbreak? Health inspectors traced each case to a particular fast-food restaurant.

What they found was appalling—restaurant workers intentionally mishandling food! Instead of throwing away a hamburger that had fallen to the floor, they would simply dust it off and put it back on a tray!

As sickening as that story might be, the Bible says that there are even more serious "poisons" that affect us spiritually. Jesus pointed that out in Matthew 15:11 when He said it's "Not what goes into the mouth [that] defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." It's not what you eat, but what you say that tells the world who you are.

That's why we need to take inventory. Is there anything within us that will "poison" what comes out of our mouths? How can you get rid of that internal acid that is souring your life? You need the purifying truths of God's Word. Begin by reading the words of Jesus found in the Book of Matthew. You'll be surprised at how they'll help purify you, both inside and out.

 

[repentandbelieve]

That's so true Snowy. The importantance of reading the Word every day cannot be stressed enough.

Also what you pointed out about taking inventory of ourselves, by keeping watch of what comes out of our mouths. What comes out of the mouth is a sure indicator of what dwells in the heart. Sin in the heart eventually overflows and gushes out of the mouth.

The word of God sanctifies. But we have to take it in, either by reading or hearing or meditating upon it. This I know this is true, because I have learned through practical experience that it is true.

I've gone through periods where I've started to get away from daily dosages of the Word. Very gradually my thoughts began to change, my speech changed, and my effections changed. All for the worse. Little by little I was begining to slip away.

But thank God that I had already recieved the truth and knew some things about it. The seeds that were planted had taken root. I knew from reading the Word how important it is to be watchful and also what specifally to watch out for. Therefore, I saw the changes taking place. I knew what was happening and why it was happening. I also knew how to reverse it.

I considered my ways. Love for the Truth prevailed. I was prompted by this love for the Truth to chose light over darkness.

If we want to walk in the light as He is in the light we need to follow on. Keep on track.

How do we do this? By staying in the word.