It Came From Within

Our life group started going through It Came From Within by Andy Stanley last night and I was challenged by the verse in Matthew 12:34 that says, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Really?  That’s not good to hear because if I’m honest I have become a master at using “filters” in my life and I have become a master of behavior modification.  When something happens that comes out of my mouth and I correct it, do I do so because I honestly feel true remorse for it or do I correct it out of fear of my reputation and image?  See if I was to be honest I think it would be more out of fear of what others think than what God thinks.  Sad isn’t it?  Can you relate?  How do we change that?  I think part of the journey is simply being aware that we do that.  I grew up in church most of my life being taught that if I did this or that, I would be looked at as a good “Christian” but the truth is I was never taught to find out what was at the root of the issues, Jesus would say that it is a heart issue.  No matter how hard I try to blame my environment or upbring, I must come to the realization that I have sin in my life and my heart is dirty and wicked.

I would love feedback on this as I am on this journey that I didn’t know that I was all of a sudden.  I really do want my heart changed instead of adding filters and modifying my behavior.

I love my life group and the journey we take together.  I love being challenged by them.  As someone who spends a majority of their life pouring into others it is great to be poured into and challenged by my life group.  If your not in a life group, you are missing out!