AS YOU THINK IN YOUR HEART

Jesus taught the multitudes that it is possible to sin in their heart and mind even before the sin is manifested outwardly. He said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

It is in man’s heart--his innermost being--where sin is conceived. It was in Satan’s heart that sin originated. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty:

Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:17).

It was in his heart that Satan exalted himself above God:

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14).

In the New Testament, a man named Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, lied about the sale of their land and kept back part of the money for themselves:

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 5:1-2)

Peter asked, “...why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3).

The money was theirs to keep if they desired. The problem was that they had allowed Satan to fill their minds and hearts with deception which was manifested by lies. The Greek word for heart is kardia which includes man’s entire mental and moral activity, the inner man. Peter was asking Ananias, “Why have you allowed Satan to so fill your innermost being, your heart, mind, your thoughts that you lied to the Holy Spirit?" The thoughts Ananias and Sapphira allowed Satan to plant in their hearts took root, sin was conceived in their hearts, and sin was manifested through lying about how much money they received and were giving.

What is in your heart determines who you are, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...” (Proverbs 23:7). How is your thinking today? Do you have some thoughts that need to be eliminated by the power of the Holy Spirit?

PRAYER:

My FATHER, My God, this year let my life reflect the blessing of the Lord, I shall not be static, I decree PROGRESS, FAVOR, HONOR, AND INFLUENCE are my portion. My life is SALTED, My speech is SALTED, My Home and Business are SALTED in the name of Jesus.