Monday, October 14, 2024

What is in the Heart will Show even if only Subtly

Notice Lot's wife didn't actually go back to Sodom, she just longed to do so and was probably sad to see her city destroyed. All something has to be is in our heart for it to displease God.
Many people pretend to act friendly around us but in their heart they secretly hate those who bring scripture to bare on those who claim to be Christian.
When someone displays covertly rude gestures, such as rolling eyes or total silence to convey their disrespect for someone who is using the Bible to prove a point, these are likely pretenders.
I have never seen godly people roll their eyes or remain silent when someone shares scripture on any matter. Those who were godly I have seen enjoy the interaction and have their own scripture to share to compliment what was said.
How can you tell if someone loves Christ? You will be able to see a joy coming over them at the mention of His name. You will experience sweet engagement in what is being said and you will connect in a Spiritual way that cannot be explained.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
"4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, 6 it does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth; 7 it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
This model of love is seen in someone who has been changed by Christ. They have the character of Christ and will live consistently the ways written of here in 1 Corinthians.
Those who have been born again will have all the fruit of the Spirit of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Those who have this fruit and His character will be this way all the time to everyone. They will never display this character to some and not others, it will be continually consistent all the time.
If your struggles and confidences have been gossiped to others you know the person who does this does not have love, understanding or care for you. If you have shared a good thing and the one hearing was jealous and lacking in engagement about it, then you know that person does not have love.
Romans 12:15-18
"15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
17 Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people."
Those who love others love to hear all things about them without judging everything and without jealousy. Those who love do not consider themselves above others but love others better than themselves.
Philippians 2:2-4 "…2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.…"
God's way is so wonderful, healing and supportive, how could anyone mock it?

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