Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
November 8, 1993
Good Morning!
QUESTION: "How do you know when your motives are
pure?" You don't.
Let's be honest: Given the condition of the human heart, as described
in Jeremiah 17:9, it is doubtful our motives are ever 100%
pure!
"The heart is deceitful above all things,
and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally
sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with
his own heart and mind]?" (Amplified)
So how do I ensure the fact that when I am making a decision
or embarking upon an activity that I am doing the right thing?
Here are four check points that will at least raise your
batting average:
#1 Be accountable to a person or group. Get around
godly people who are not afraid to give it to you straight. Be
transparent with them and seek their counsel:
"Better is open rebuke than secret love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful
are the kisses of an enemy." "Without consultation,
plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed."
(Proverbs 27:5,6;15:22)
#2 Keep your nose in God's word. It will help
to keep you honest:
"For the word that God speaks is
alive and full of power [making it active, operative,
energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword,
penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul)
and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest
parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing
and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart."
(Hebrews 4:12 Amplified)
#3 Prayerfully engage in self-examination and examination
by the Holy Spirit:
"Examine and test and evaluate your
own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith
and showing the proper fruits of it..." "Search
me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts,
and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the
everlasting way." (II Corinthians 13:5 Amplified; Psalm
139:23, 24)
#4 Make sure you have a deep sense of inner peace before
acting: The moment you loose that inner
peace: Stop!
"And let the peace of Christ rule (literally:
be umpire) in your hearts..." (Colossians 3:15)
Have a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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