November 4, 2023 -- Psalm 15:2b -- Consistent inside and out

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

and speaks truth in his heart
Psalm 15:2b ESV

No doubt you have a public voice and a private voice. There are things you think about and do not say. Even though you are not saying them publicly your heart is speaking all the time. You form opinions about all kinds of things and circumstances and people. The question is: Do the words you speak match up with what is in your heart?

In Psalm 15 David asks a rhetorical question. “Who shall live with You, O LORD, in Your tent?". Most of the answers are obvious: one who walks blamelessly and does what is right. Those who refrain from evil. These traits describe those who live with the LORD. It is this little phrase that is our text today which stands out. We might ask ourselves, does it really matter what we think about? Who does it hurt if I speak politely in public, but am nasty towards someone in my heart. At least I’m being nice to that person.

Matthew 12:34 Jesus taught that from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. What you think in your heart will eventually come out in your words or action. What you think is also known to your Father in heaven. What you are rehearsing in your heart is also directing your actions—either closer to God or away from Him. Be honest, many of us lie to ourselves. We are not honest in the innermost place. This is what Jesus is getting at. Jesus has reconciled us to our Father in heaven by His precious blood so that our public voice and our private voice can be consistent in praise and thanksgiving unto God, Who is our Rescue, and by His Spirit He has suited us to live in true community.

Father in heaven forgive us for the lack of love which lingers in our hearts. Forgive us for thinking that because we seem to be kind and polite on the outside, the rot inside us doesn’t matter much. Purify us. Father in heaven, by Your Spirit cleanse us according to the accomplished work of Your Son so that inside and out we will be holy and wholly Yours. Amen.

https://youtu.be/sXgCi5mhRYM?si=te9ZBbPp4qcDptQD Neville Peters “Whiter than Snow”

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