In Proverbs 23:7 we are told that as we think so we are.  In other words how we think about ourselves, and others, determines the value we put on our lives and the lives of others.  In fact, how we think also determines whether things are easy or difficult for us; even to the extent in believing the Word of God.

Now to be honest with you, most of the time when I’ve heard this Scripture I basically applied it to myself; how I thought about myself.   If we think we are successful then we most likely will be successful.  If we think we are likeable then most likely we will be likeable.  One must be friendly to be likeable and be a friend.  If we think we are kind then we probably will also be thinking of ways to be kind.

However, this morning while reading I saw a little twist to the application of this verse.  It sounded like this:  how we think in our heart about and towards others, so are we.  In other words, how we think towards others is probably how we think they think about and towards us.  If we are judgmental in our heart about how others look, dress, live, etc, then quite possibly we will think that’s how others are thinking.  This presents problems.  One problem is that this type of judging is based only on outward appearance and God’s Word tells us in First Samuel 16:7 that He looks at the heart of a person.

Another angle to this is if we think a person is asking us questions about our life only to gossip rather than to form a friendship, then could it be that’s a hidden motive in our heart in asking other’s questions – to gossip?  When we wrongly judge another person by just appearances without seeing their value we are being proud in our heart.  Proverbs 28:25 teaches us that a proud heart stirs up strife, conflict and discord.  The Bible instructs us several times that we are to dwell together in unity; keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and come into unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.  (Psalm 133:1, Ephesians 4:3 and 13)  When pride comes into our heart, we are bound to fall into sin. (Proverbs 11:2, 16:18, 29:23)

In Matthew 23:25-28, Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites because of their self-righteousness; appearing clean on the outside – where people could see them – but their hearts were full of iniquity.  I’m not trying to condemn or judge anyone, I’m only trying to help us be truthful when we look into the mirror of the Word of God and judge ourselves accordingly and correctly. This is the only way we can maintain a clean heart before God Almighty.

When our heart is filled with the good treasures of God’s Word then His character will come forth in the abundance of our heart and thereby change our appearance and the way we think and speak

As Christians we not only need to get sin out of our life that others see but out of our heart where God judges us.  And it all begins with how we think.  Everything we put into our mind is important either to a lesser or greater degree because we are what we think about.  So, let’s be sure that what we put into our heart  will help line our thoughts up with the Word of God, and help us be the person God wants us to be.