As we move along in our study we find a familiar theme, it is what is in your heart that matters. Our outward actions can say one thing, our words can say another, but it is our heart that reveals the truth. What is in your heart? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have all been in the situation that we couldn’t say what we really thought. Whether it is an interview at the track or an encounter with fans, most times we need to measure what we say and take into account who is listening. I say this to illustrate that we don’t always reveal what is in our heart.
Jesus continued his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with these words;
Mathew 5:27-30, “You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Adultery is wrong, even thinking about it is wrong. This illustrates God’s high view of the marriage relationship. Jesus helps us to understand that when we enter into a marriage relationship it should be the only intimate relationship we have. It is not up for debate, don’t even think about it.
Jesus expands the teaching that it is what is in our heart that matters. He expands this to lustful desires. Lust is a word that we have equated with sex but listen to what it indicates. Lust, a desire, yearning, a longing, a hunger, an ache, envy, thirst, an itch for something. Most of these terms describe something that overtakes us. It is very hard to have the willpower to resist. When we allow the wrong thoughts to rule our mind we end up sinning in our heart. Jesus lets us know that is the same as following through with our thoughts.
He has some advice for us though; remove it from your life. He explains that we are to go to great lengths to remove whatever it is in our life that causes us to sin. He said it is better to lose one part of our body that to lose our entire life. Have no doubt about it, this is serious stuff.
Jesus doesn’t limit this just to adultery, his example covers anything we do that causes us to sin. We need to cut it out of our life.
Have you ever heard of garbage in, garbage out? That’s exactly what Jesus is saying, if you allow these things in your life then your life will be worthless. If the things we put in our minds and hearts are not good then what comes out will be bad. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled into thinking you can control your mind, you can’t.
Take a look at some of the video games that are being released today. Some of the worst ones create a mindset that doesn’t value what God values, life itself. Do you think there is a connection between what people subject their minds to with these games and what they do in their lives? I do and I think we see it in the way people treat each other. We have developed a disregard for others and their lives.
How do we respond to things in our life that cause us to sin? Probably not the way Jesus instructs us to here. For some reason we think we can handle it. We think we are strong enough to resist the temptation. We think others are weak but not us. We are wrong.
What are we thinking? Soon enough it will show in the way we live our life. Are we ready to live a life that shows the love of Christ? I would encourage you to take note of what you allow into your mind. Take note of what you allow yourself to think. The wrong influences and thoughts will lead to actions that will destroy our lives.
I watched a movie that helps us to understand this teaching; Fireproof. It helps us to understand how important the relationship of marriage is and helps us to see how we can make it better. There is a teaching in that movie that we all need to remember; “Don’t just follow your heart, because your heart can be deceived, lead your heart to where it needs to be.” Jesus teaches us the same thing, how we condition our heart matters. What we put into our heart matters, because what is in our heart will show itself in our lives.
Don’t allow things into your mind that will destroy your life. Cut them out, remove their influence. It is better to lose a part of your life than condemn yourself to hell. Do not take these words lightly. Watch yourself and the things that influence your thoughts.
Until next time, remember God loves you and Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing! God Bless. Remember, that your prayerful support helps us continue this ministry. Thank You.