Introductory Thoughts
God is particularly interested in what is going on within the heart of man. He said of the Jews, “this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men” (Isaiah 29:13). The Lord is not looking for lip service. In its place, He wants men to have a heart full of truth. The Bible tells us that “The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). This is not to suggest that God does not see man’s outward appearance, but rather that He looks much deeper (into the heart) without stopping at the outward. For what is He looking? Truth!
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Read Proverbs 23:7a. The Lord wants us to think on true things (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2; Philippians 4:8). He wants our hearts to be right (1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 145:18; Ezekiel 33:31; Hebrews 10:19, 22a). Oh, that the Lord could say of us what He said of Nathanael (John 1:47; Psalm 32:2).
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(For everyone): Do you have truth in the inward parts? Do you honour God with your lips while harbouring error and falsehood within your heart?
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Read Matthew 12:34. Why is it so important that man have truth dwelling in the inward parts? How does what is going on inside the heart of man affect every other aspect of his life?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to help you have truth in the inward parts.
- Ask God to examine you and show you any falsehood within.
Song
TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE
