We would like to be known for our words. Most people can muster up some eloquent or noble phrases that can impress others. We can all make high-sounding comments about what we believe. It is easy to assent to the importance of godly behavior. If it was merely an issue of saying the correct things, most of us could rise to the occasion, at least occasionally.
But our character is most clearly identified, not by what we say, but by our heart. To know someone’s heart is to know them. Our affections determine our actions. What we value sets our agenda. We may put on a mask on the outside, but it is what is on our inside that represents our true identity.
How do you know what is in someone’s heart? Watch what they do. Words are cheap. Actions reflect our true values. If we act selfishly, we are reflecting a selfish heart. If we behave proudly, our heart is clearly filled with pride. If we show no concern for the welfare of others, we clearly have a calloused heart. Our words can also reveal what lies in our heart. Not our prepared speeches and pious pronouncements, but what we utter in our unguarded moments. What you say in anger reflects what lurks in your heart, not what you say in your Bible study group. What you say at the end of an exhausting day is a better indicator of your heart than what you say in a job interview.
Have you conducted a heart examination lately? Have you monitored your actions? Have you listened carefully to your words? Are you pleased with what your heart reveals about the current state of your character?