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Proverbs 27:19 NLT
[19] As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.27.19.NLT

What’s in your heart reveals who you really are. God sees the real you, your every thought, intention and motive. There is no facade to put on, on the inside of you, at the core of your being. You can’t pull the wool over God’s eyes. So often we hide ourselves, the inner self, from those around us. But we can’t hide from God

“The heart reflects the man” means that a person’s true character and inner nature are revealed through their actions and choices, just as a reflection in water shows you what you truly look like; this phrase originates from Proverbs 27:19 which says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s heart reflects the man.”.

Inner truth:
The “heart” is often used metaphorically to represent someone’s true intentions, desires, and motivations, which are not always readily apparent to others. But God knows my deepest intentions and motives. He knows my every thought:

Psalms 139:1-4 NLT
[1] O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. [2] You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. [3] You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. [4] You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.1-4.NLT

Actions speak louder than words:
This Proverb suggests that by observing someone’s behavior, you can understand their true character, even if they try to hide it. It also implies that individuals should be mindful of their actions and how they reflect their inner selves.
So often we see ourselves through the lenses we are wearing. The further one is from God, the more self-centered he will be. Pride and arrogance can distort how we see ourselves. When a man looks at his own reflection, as in water or in a mirror, he sees himself, walks away and forgets what kind of man he really is. God’s word is like a mirror. Seeing yourself through the lens of God’s word will keep you from becoming two-faced. Two-faced people are those who hide behind a mask or facade.  Two-faced people act one way in front of the church crowd, but just the opposite in public, outside of church.

Are you the same person you see in the mirror or water, reflecting back at you as you gaze at yourself?

James 1:22-25 NLT
[22] But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. [23] For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. [24] You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. [25] But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.22-25.NLT

Psalms 126:5-6 NLT
[5] Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. [6] They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.126.5-6.NLT

Many times the Israelites faced hard times and opposition from the enemy, but God delivered them every time as they learned to trust Him and look to Him.

You and I have an enemy that loves to wreak havoc in our lives, causing anguish and heartache. Stress and anxiety come from the times when we try to figure it all out on our own, when we go it alone. But the God of Israel is our God. He has brought us all together in Christ,  making one new creation; one church, one baptism, one body. Know that the tears of sorrow and sadness we endure now will become tears of joy and blessings in His time.

The work of planting seeds yields a harvest that will bring great joy if we remain patient in the growth process. When we sow seeds into the lives of others, we will reap a great harvest in due time. Patience builds endurance, and endurance breeds hope. Hope brings joy. Hope is what we are sowing into the lives of those we minister to.

Moses stood in the gap, between God and men. God delivered the Israelites from bondage, from slavery in Egypt. Today God uses you and I, as he breathes life into us. Then we are able to come along side of others who are in the midst of their own bondage to sin. God fills us with love, compassion and empathy for those who are hurting, who have become weary and downtrodden, trampled and crushed by their own sinful habits, past hurts, and hangups. This is what matters in life; bearing one anothers burdens in fulfillment of God’s grest commandment to love Him and one another

Jeremiah 31:1-10 NKJV
[1] “At the same time,” says the Lord, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be My people.” [2] Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness— Israel, when I went to give him rest.” [3] The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. [4] Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, And shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. [5] You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; The planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food. [6] For there shall be a day When the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, To the Lord our God.’ ” [7] For thus says the Lord: “Sing with gladness for Jacob, And shout among the chief of the nations; Proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!’ [8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth, Among them the blind and the lame, The woman with child And the one who labors with child, together; A great throng shall return there. [9] They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn. [10] “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’

https://bible.com/bible/114/jer.31.1-10.NKJV

The harvest we reap will be a harvest of souls; lost people returning to God. Like lost sheep who wandered, being found by the Great Shepherd. This brings true joy as we see hurting people made whole in Jesus Holy name!

Luke 9:57-62 NKJV
[57] Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” [58] And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” [59] Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” [60] Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” [61] And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” [62] But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.9.57-62.NKJV

It’s this “let me first “ mindset that keeps many from being fully committed to following Jesus.I must put His Kingdom and His righteousness first, and everything else that the world seeks after will fall into proper perspective.

I can’t be self-centered or self serving if I’m to be a fully surrendered, readily available, servant of the Lord. Worldly commitments tie me down; job, career, finances (especially debt), even family ties.
This isn’t to say I’m to abandon all of my responsibilities. I must be a faithful husband, father, citizen, taxpayer and I must pay my debts and give proper attention to my priorities. But what is my first and most important priority? That’s the real question here.

Three individuals who were given an invitation to follow Jesus and serve Him, and they all had other concerns and priorities.
What could be more important than following Jesus?
Jesus is looking for those who will put His Kingdom and His righteousness first.

Putting me first will keep me from truly following Christ. He’s looking for faithful obedient servants, those who are available to serve Him.

Proverbs 25:28 NLT
[28] A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.25.28.NLT

Proverbs 25:28 NKJV
[28] Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

https://bible.com/bible/114/pro.25.28.NKJV

Self-control is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. It is the God given ability to rule over one’s spirit. Self control is the ability to control one’s self.

The fruit of the Spirit is given to those who choose to walk in the Spirit, who have opened their heart to God’s presence, who have humbled themselves in His sight so that He will lift them up. Self control is the ability to restrain one’s impulses, desires, and actions, making conscious choices that align with God’s will, even when faced with temptation. This is the biblical principle and definition of wisdom, which is the God given ability to rule one’s own self, in his inner being, in his own heart where the glory of God dwells.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
[22] But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.5.22-23.NLT

Self-control is seen as a vital aspect of living a Christian life, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome negative tendencies and live righteously.

Self control is the ability to exercise restraint. In Christ we have been set free from the law, through grace. Yet we’re not to use our freedom to indulge our flesh with its lusts and desires. We’re to crucify our flesh by  denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Him.

Self-control is a weapon of our warfare

II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV
[4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

https://bible.com/bible/114/2co.10.4-5.NKJV

The power of God, living in us, enables us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives as we walk through life daily. Walking in the Spirit is to walk with self-control.

Titus 2:11-13 ESV
[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

https://bible.com/bible/59/tit.2.11-13.ESV

In isolation we fight our battles alone. Of course, God is with us in those battles, but they are fought better in the fellowship of others; confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other. The effective, fervant prayers of the righteous has the power to do and accomplish much more that we can do on our own. There is strength in numbers!

James 5:16 NKJV
[16] Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.5.16.NKJV

Warriors in the heat of battle would typically link shields together, making a full circle against the enemy, creating an impenetrable force. When we link our shield of faith with others, that’s a mighty force to be reckoned with! The enemy won’t stand a chance of breaking through!

Ephesians 6:16 NLT
[16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.16.NLT

Proverbs 24:19-20 NLT
[19] Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. [20] For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.24.19-20.NLT

Psalms 37:1-3 NLT
[1] Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. [2] For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. [3] Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.37.1-3.NLT

Proverbs 23:17-18 NLT
[17] Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. [18] You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.23.17-18.NLT

It seems like the wicked prosper while doing wrong. They don’t seem to be worried or concerned about their ways, they’re not suffering or so it seems, and they are enjoying themselves from the spoil of their wicked deeds. But they will not prosper forever. They have no roots in the house of God  or the Kingdom of God. Their prosperity is for a moment and won’t last. Calamity will come upon them and they will fall mightily because they have no solid foundation to stand upon. Their light will be extinguished.

Trust in the Lord, not in the temporary material gain that the wicked depend on. When you fall on hard times, your faith will remain intact and you will endure. In good times and in bad, the Lord your God will continue to hold in the palm of His hand, and keep you as the apple of His eye.

The light that shines in you illuminates your soul and gives light to those around you. They will see your faith and trust on display as you stand firm, while the light of the wicked will fade and eventually blow out, like a candle in the wind. Their prosperity won’t save them.

The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Those who trust in riches and material wealth have no roots or foundation to stand on. They’re walking on sinking sand. Their foundation will crumble, leaving them crushed and destroyed.

Trust in the Lord and do good, then you will dwell safely in the land and prosper.

Do good: when you trust in the Lord to guide you in His light, you will see the way to go. It is always a good path in which you will prosper; not in the worldly sense, as in money and material wealth. While that may a part of your prosperity, you can’t rely on that to last into eternity. Work for that which has eternal value, for this life and for the Kingdom of God.

Loving and serving others is the way to go, the good we are instructed to do. This is the work that will endure for eternity. Loving God and one another fulfills the entire law!

Live your own life and stop comparing yourself to others. Put God’s kingdom and His righteousness first and everything else will follow. The world might seem to have an edge or advantage, but it’s merely a facade. Deep down inside, at the core of your being, you know what is right and good.  Listen to the voice of the Lord, the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. He’ll always lead you in the way you should go!

Do I have control over the tongues of others when they tell lies, spread gossip and rumors about me?

What about my own tongue? Do I tell lies or spread gossip and rumors about others?

Do I have lying lips and deceitful tongue?

I need to watch my own tongue first. Gossip, rumors, slander, outright lies; all of the above are so prevalent. However, the truth starts in me.

To thine own self be true. I can’t control what others say about me, but if I’m a man of integrity, treating others with respect and observing the golden rule, then other people won’t have much fuel to use when they choose to use their tongue to crush my reputation or otherwise harm me.

Jealousy is often the motive behind lies and rumors, when others choose to “talk smack” about me.

What goes around comes around. If you’re talking about others, others will talk about you. If you listen to gossip and rumors about others, these people will talk about you too. That’s what a talebearer is; a gossip, a busy body, a meddler in other peoples’ business.

If I’m known by others as a man of honesty, integrity and trustworthiness, when lies, rumors and gossip are lodged against me, they won’t believe it and may actually speak up on my behalf .

Talebearers exist in the church too. Sad but true. It’s a part of our sinful nature to lie. We instinctively learn to do it as toddlers and it becomes engrained into our moral makeup as we grow and develop. However, feeding on the word of God curbs our desire to become known as a liar or a talebearer. If our parents are doing a proper job in raising us, we’ll grow up knowing that lying is wrong, that it’s sinful behavior, and is unacceptable.

In a court of law, lying is known as purjory and is a crime and is punishable by law. Libel and slander are also crimes and can be the subject of civil lawsuits.

The power of the tongue starts in me, when I prayerfully and willfully choose to live by the Truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God!

David prayed to God to deliver him from such lying and deceit; not only from the mouths and lips of others, but also from doing the same, either in retaliation or from using his own tongue to frame untruths and lies about others!

I want to be like David, a man after God’s own heart. David referred to himself as “a servant of the Lord” (Psalms 36 introduction) a servant of the Lord will not be included with lies and rumors; not in crafting them with their own heart and tongue, nor listening to that being spread and circulated by others. A true man of God, filled with the Spirit of God, will not be a part of such behavior, nor associate with those who do such things.

That’s what David prays about in Psalm 120 (and many other places in Scripture!

Proverbs 11:13 NLT
[13] A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

https://bible.com/bible/116/pro.11.13.NLT

Psalms 120:1-3 NKJV
[1] In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. [2] Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue. [3] What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue?

https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.120.1-3.NKJV

Luke 22:31-32 NKJV
[31] And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. [32] But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.22.31-32.NKJV

Luke 22:32 NLT
[32] But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.22.32.NLT

Sifting wheat in those days was done by foot, by stomping the wheat on the threshing floor, thereby separating the wheat from the chaff. The good part then became flour to be used in food preparation, while the chaff, which is the waste part, is thrown out into a heep, where the wind drives it away.

Satan wants to separate us from God by stomping, crushing, and bruising us, thereby squeezing the life out of us with anxiety, stress, worry, fear, doubt, discouragement, and every other care and concern that consumes us.

While Satan wants to sift us like wheat attempting to separate us from the love of God, God will use this process in our lives to strip away the bad stuff; the chaff, while the good stuff remains so that He can use us for His good purpose. The enemy wants us to be like that chaff, blown about by every wind and storm.

Jesus wants us to stand firm in our faith. Jesus didn’t tell Peter he blocked Satan from doing this, but instead promised to pray for him, that his faith will remain intact while this process is unfolding and working its way out. God never promises to keep us from such trials and tribulations, but He will give us faith on the inside to endure as this stomping and sifting is going on.

And when we’ve endured, through faith, we’ll be equipped to minister to others who are going through their own storms of life.

In the midst of our threshing floor, we’ll endure our own sifting and return better than we were before, better than we ever thought!

This is never a pleasant experience, but is necessary. Our humanity so often gets in the way of God’s plan. God knows our hearts. When push comes to shove and the enemy gets under our skin, we’ll be strongly tempted to deny Jesus as Peter did, and we will mostly likely have the same response and outcome that Peter did.

Jesus wasn’t telling Peter this sifting could or might happen. It will happen, but Satan has boundaries. It’s always permitted by God, but God is in control. You will endure through faith. You will return when you repent, confess and forsake your sin. And Jesus will be working in and through you at a much deeper level.

James 5:16 NLT
[16] Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.5.16.NLT

I think the church as a whole does a poor job of providing a place where people, especially men, can be open and transparent with the sin and weaknesses in their lives; especially with issues of sexual immorality. The Bible tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another. How often do we do this?

Growing up in the Catholic Church, we did this regularly, going to confession and telling our sins to the priest, behind the veil, inside the confessional booth. But it became more of a religious ritual than an opportunity to find comfort and support in the midst of sinful habits that have gripped one’s soul.

If the church as a whole did a better job of creating an environment where men have the opportunity to tell another brother(s) they are really struggling in an area, like pornography and everything that goes with that, so many men would be set free from the vice grip of pornography. It becomes a trap in their own minds, ruled and policed by the demons of guilt, shame and fear. Sexual immorality and compulsive behaviors are more prevalent among Christian men (and some women)than we realize or are willing to admit. We can and must do a better job.

Men, for the most part, will keep this sort of stuff to themselves. It’s very hard for others to see this sort of problem in a man’s life. It’s not as obvious as taking drugs or consuming alcohol. Even gambling addiction or food addiction can be seen more clearly.

Every other sin we commit is outside of the body, but those who commit sexual immorality are sinning against their own flesh, and it comes from a God given and  ordained purpose within our natural bodies. God gave us sexual desires for the purpose of procreation and fulfillment of our roles within marriage; a monogamous relationship between a man and a woman, which is the complete image of God, celebrated in the figurative language between Christ and His body, the church !

Joshua 24:15 NLT
[15] But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/jos.24.15.NLT

We all have our own gods we look to and serve.

Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Sometimes I think of “my house” as this earthly tent I reside in, because that’s where it starts, in my heart. If someone is swept away by vice; porn, gambling, drugs and alcohol, sexual addiction, even food addiction, etc. they really need to examine their own heart and motives, especially if they claim to be a Christian. Man looks at the outer appearance but God looks at our hearts. No one can say they didn’t know, because God has spoken through the scriptures and in their heart. What we’re really doing and saying when we partake of these vices and other things is that God is not enough!

We’re double minded with divided hearts when we claim to love and serve God, yet spend our time serving ourselves and our lusts and desires.

Who are you really serving?