Today’s reading is John 2. This chapter of John includes well known Scriptures about Jesus’ first public miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana and turning over the money tables in the temple. However, we are going to focus on the last 2 verses.
Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man.
John 2:23-25
In full transparency, much of my writing today is based off notes written in my Bible from a past sermon which was likely by Pastor Mike Baker from Eastview Christian Church. We must ask ourselves, what is the condition of my heart? As we read here in John 2:23-25, Jesus knows. There are 3 questions we can take a step back and objectively as ourselves to examine our heart.
- Where is my money going?
Matthew 6:21 clearly tells us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It’s been said that you can tell a person’s priorities by looking at their bank account or credit card transactions and their calendar.
- What fruit am I bearing?
Matthew 13:23 says, “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the Word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
Another way to examine this may be from my calendar question above or whether or not those around me in my family, business, or teams/organizations are yielding good fruit and impacting the world positively through the help of my leadership and guidance.
- What am I speaking? I would also add, what am I watching?
Matthew 15:18 says, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” I’m sad to admit my temper often gets the best of me or my desire to crack a joke or make a comment in an attempt to make others laugh which may hurt someone else or include language I know God would not like.
These are humbling questions for us to ask, and no matter where we are on our walk with the Lord, we all have opportunities to grow and shape our heart to look more like His.
Here 5 are ways to help us grow and help change and shape our hearts.
- Pray
David prays in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” David is asking for God to examine him so he knows if he is going in the right way and then to redirect him towards God’s will if he’s going astray.
- Yield to God’s Spirit and Heart
Again, David gives a good example of how…ask God to help you do so!
- Yield to His teaching in the Word by reading our Bible.
A friend of mine who is what I would call a newer believer was commenting the other day that the more he reads the Bible, the more he is convinced other leadership and self-help books he previously read for years are just saying what the Bible has already told us in a different way and are teaching us to live and lead like Jesus did. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” We also discussed how crazy it is when we read our Bible and whatever we are reading that day speaks to us right in the way we need it to based on what is going on in our lives and minds. This verse in Hebrews reminds us this is not a coincidence. The Bible is the Living Word.
- Walk with God’s people
I love the quote, “Who you will be in 10 years is a result of the books you read and the people you surround yourself with.” Just like reading the Bible above, who you spend time with will influence you. I still have a lot of growing to do in my walk and to live more like Him (this is a gross understatement), but I can tell you I would not be where I am today not only because of the foundation of faith my parents laid, but also because of the professional mentors with my company I spent much time with who I looked up to and who loved the Lord and His Word. This lit a spark in me to want to get into His Word more. I thank God for putting me in that environment with those people. In more recent years, our small group has helped us walk with His people and grow.
- Serve His Church
Jesus gave us maybe the greatest example of serving His people and church when He washed the disciples’ feet the night before He was killed, even when He knew they would run, deny, and abandon Him.
So, let us ask ourselves, “Is He the King of my Heart?”
We can examine ourselves through these 3 questions above and no matter where we are in our walk with Him, improve the condition of our heart through these 5 ways. We will also learn tomorrow in John 3 how much He loves no matter where we are in our journey.
Check out this awesome song.