MAY 30

Proverbs 23:6-8
Memorise Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things…”

A man bids his guest to partake of his feast of bread and delicious meats. He calls his guests to eat and drink – enjoy! He wishes his guest well and generously welcomes him to his table to sup. On the outside, he initially appears very warm and genuine, happy to be the host. However, that is not how he really is. His heart is not with the guests, and it soon gives him away. He is what his heart says, not his mouth. He is dishonest and insincere. He had invited these guests to satisfy some ulterior motive, and had some hidden agenda to fulfil. Such actions do not bode well for the guests at all. No matter how good a spread the host is able to provide, the guest will be left with a bitter taste in his mouth, and will want to vomit out the very food he has eaten. All his niceties, sweet welcoming words will mean nothing, for the guest has discerned his heart.

As we are what we think in our hearts, yes, your own thoughts are important when meditating. If our heart is not sincere and free from sin or hidden agendas as we meditate, then the result, the fruits of our meditation will be tainted, however righteous and pleasing they may appear to be. We know that God knows far more than the unsuspecting guest at the feast of this insincere host. He knows the deepest thoughts of our heart. There is no point in making a show of meditating on God’s Word, if inwardly we have no desire at all for it. We need to be totally and completely honest before God and men, lest we be hypocrites as the Pharisees.

We can guard against hypocrisy by putting on the mind of Christ (Phil 2), moulding and aligning our thoughts to that of Christ. This is a lifelong process. In this light, our thoughts are not paramount; rather they are submitted to and subsumed by Christ’s.

Remember that God always knows the thoughts of our hearts. We may be able to fool men, but we can never fool God. We can put up a facade of holiness, we can appear to be regular in our daily devotions and meditations. We can even share and talk about how wonderful our quiet time has been. But if it is not true sincere and honest meditation before the Lord, then it is all in vain.

Thought: Is it more difficult to control your thoughts or your actions?
Prayer: LORD, may I put on the mind of Christ as I meditate upon Your Word.