Topic: A Diligent Disposition [August 13, 2016]
Text: Mark 7:14-23
Key Verse: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye,blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:21,22).
A man once dreamed of passing into the world beyond. An angel met him and showed him a great golden book. “What is that?”, he inquired. “It is the book of your life, ” was the reply. Looking closely, he saw that there were some writings on the first page. “What, is there?” he asked. Those are your evil acts” said then angel, “and you see, they are many”.
The angel turned the page and then dreamer saw that the next sheet was more closely written. “These” said the angel “are your evil words; and you see, these are more than your acts; for a man speaks more than he acts” the angel declared. The next rage was still more closely written. “What are these?” asked the dreamer, “these are your evil thoughts. They are very many. A man thinks more than he speaks or acts. ” With trembling voice, the dreamer asked what the fourth page contained. The angel turned it over, and lo! it was black as midnight. “This represents your evil heart, ” said the angel, “for it is out of the blackness of the heart that all thoughts and words and acts come”.
The heart is the coordinating organ of the body, the centre from which every affection, emotion, passions and actions flow. No wonder then, the heart is the major source of defilement if not put under check. Our Lord Jesus Christ affirmed that, it is not what a man eats or comes from outside that defiles a man, but that which comes from within. Little wonder then the book of proverbs admonishes us to “keep [our] heart with all diligence; [because] out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). The greatest call to mankind from God therefore is for us to give Him our hearts. When the Lord takes control of the heart, He purifies and puts it into profitable use for His own glory.
Thought for the day: An unclean heart is the tabernacle of evil.
Bible Reading in one Year: Job 5-8
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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