Inwardly Defined!

Some appear to be defined by the clothes they wear. Others seem to be defined by the position in society they hold. But when one moves beyond the outward appearance and is able to look below the surface, the picture may be much different. When we consider our own life, we may dress it up by various means, but what lies beneath the surface? What do we THINK?

Solomon stated…
“(6) Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, (7) for he is like one who is INWARDLY CALCULATING. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, but HIS HEART IS NOT WITH YOU.” ( Proverbs 23:6-7
ESV)

An alternate translation is given in the English Standard Version as
“(7) for AS HE CALCULATES IN HIS SOUL, SO IS HE.” The King James Version also reads, “(7) For AS HE THINKETH IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE….”

True defining of an individual begins within. And it is important to consider what is developing beneath the surface. Someone has said, “Think right; act right; it is what you think and do that makes you what you are.”
[source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C. McKenzie]

Though others may not know, God knows what we THINK and we know what we THINK. And what we THINK tends to come out sooner or later. Therefore what we THINK needs to be closely guarded. Jesus pointed out that the heart needs to be guarded because it is from there that our speech flows. (Matthew
12:34) THINKING the right things will aid in having a good flow as well as prompting good actions -- all reflecting the wholesome THINKING going on within.

Paul exhorted…
“Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything WORTHY OF PRAISE, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.” ( Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Perhaps the commitment we should make is if a thought does not fit into any of those categories, we should dispel it from our mind. By so doing we will have godly defined words and actions produced in our life.

Have a great day LIVING A LIFE OF TRUE MEANING TO GOD’S GLORY!
Carl

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