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Look at the Source
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
Matthew 12:34–36
As part of his pioneering missionary work in Africa, David Livingstone spent time on his travels exploring so future missionaries would be able to work in the heart of Africa. As an explorer, he made major geographical discoveries at a time when the interior of the continent was largely unknown to the outside world. After making one of the first successful crossings of Africa from the Atlantic to Indian Oceans, Livingstone’s final great expedition was a search to verify whether Lake Victoria in Tanzania was indeed the source of the Nile River as earlier explorers had speculated. Although Livingstone didn’t reach Lake Victoria, he was correct that it was the source of the great Nile River.
Just as understanding the source of the Nile would shape Europeans’ understanding of the continent of Africa, so it is for us when we understand the source from which our words and actions flow—which is our hearts. It is what is inside, rather than outward circumstances and events that dictates our responses. When people speak harsh and biting words, or respond with a lack of compassion and love toward others, it shows that there is an internal problem. Too often we make excuses for ourselves or others, saying things like, “I didn’t really mean that.” Yet Jesus taught that our words are the overflow of our hearts.
If we are focused on changing our behavior by changing our surroundings, we are doomed to failure. The only way we can make the outside what it should be is to first fix what is on the inside. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). When we love God and love others as we are commanded to do, it will impact our words and deeds.
Matthew 12:34–36
As part of his pioneering missionary work in Africa, David Livingstone spent time on his travels exploring so future missionaries would be able to work in the heart of Africa. As an explorer, he made major geographical discoveries at a time when the interior of the continent was largely unknown to the outside world. After making one of the first successful crossings of Africa from the Atlantic to Indian Oceans, Livingstone’s final great expedition was a search to verify whether Lake Victoria in Tanzania was indeed the source of the Nile River as earlier explorers had speculated. Although Livingstone didn’t reach Lake Victoria, he was correct that it was the source of the great Nile River.
Just as understanding the source of the Nile would shape Europeans’ understanding of the continent of Africa, so it is for us when we understand the source from which our words and actions flow—which is our hearts. It is what is inside, rather than outward circumstances and events that dictates our responses. When people speak harsh and biting words, or respond with a lack of compassion and love toward others, it shows that there is an internal problem. Too often we make excuses for ourselves or others, saying things like, “I didn’t really mean that.” Yet Jesus taught that our words are the overflow of our hearts.
If we are focused on changing our behavior by changing our surroundings, we are doomed to failure. The only way we can make the outside what it should be is to first fix what is on the inside. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). When we love God and love others as we are commanded to do, it will impact our words and deeds.
Today’s Growth Principle:
If you want your words and actions to be right, you must first make sure your heart is right.
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