Heart Check is not for the Faint of Heart

This blog is going to be very direct, and yet, it’s intent is to offend no one; except the old man (nature), but then, he’s supposed to be crucified anyway. This is a call for examination of our own hearts. Yes, this includes the writer -me! Please, prayerfully consider what is being said. Allow Holy Spirit reveal what He desires to show you.

Heart Check Number 1: Deal With Your Own Hypocrisy

Like it or not, our own hypocrisy is holding us back from being who we need to be for God, and fulfilling our calling. The Church at large has lost untold influence due hypocrisy. It is very hard to listen to a hypocrite. Hypocrites spot other hypocrites quite easily, but they’re blind to their own duplicity. They are usually the first to criticize others.  Ever been there?
   Romans 2:1-2 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things (read all of chapter two).
   Before going too far overboard, let’s define hypocrite. The word means to be an actor. One who pretends to be someone he or she is not. We can sincerely love the Lord, but still have hypocritical tendencies. This usually happens when we become self-righteous and lose touch with God’s mercy and grace. You know, the moments when we feel very critical or judgmental of others.
   Probably, one of the bigger things we bump up against is holding others to a standard we can’t keep, or even try to maintain. This happens a lot when it comes to leaders of the Church, business, government and so on. Some ridicule others for their misbehavior, while privately practicing the same things.
   And that leads to a question: how clean are we when we’re alone, out of sight of others? Are we doing things in secret that would be an embarrassment should they become public? If the latter is the case, how could we possibly ridicule another? That’s called hypocrisy!
   Matthew 7:1-5 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
   We as the Church, the Body of Christ, need to be honest with ourselves. If we don’t deal with this issue, we will never influence the world for the Kingdom in a meaningful way. Have you ever asked the Lord how could things be such a hot mess? Have you ever considered it may be the result of us not being who we are meant to be?

Heart Check Number 2: Are We Willing To Change?

How many have something in which they’ve struggled for a very long time? Perhaps, it’s a pet sin, a pet hurt, anger, wrath and so on. Is it a real struggle, or do they say it is, so they feel better about not actually dealing with it? Similar to those who never intend change, but make a New Year’s Resolution in order to not look or feel bad. They may give it the old college try, but then fall flat in a matter of days. “No one ever keeps a resolution. Maybe next year.” They quit before they begin, because they aren’t serious about it.
   To be clear, there are those who have had legitimate struggles of which they want to be free. For whatever reason, they haven’t experienced the victory, yet. To those of you who may fall in this category, know that God is faithful. He has the solution. He is your Healer, Deliverer and has already given you the victory, and it will manifest. Jesus is worthy for you to succeed!

  Humans fight against change, even when it’s for the better. Ironically, they fight against the changes of which they want to make; but they are so comfortable where they are, they don’t make the effort. No one wants to leave his or her nice, warm comfortable bed in the morning, even when they’re excited for the what the day has to offer. Have you ever looked forward to something, but when the morning came, you still wanted to roll over?
   To experience the excitement that lays ahead, we have to get out of bed; otherwise, we will go to our graves with regret. Change is often uncomfortable, but it’s necessary for a truly meaningful life, which includes pleasing God. We are called to be conformed to the image of Jesus. For that to happen, it is necessary to submit to Holy Spirit and allow the Lord to do the work within us. Trust Him, He knows what He’s doing.  
   Ephesians 4:8-16 Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

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