SAFEGUARD YOUR HEART

What Do Our Actions Say?

It has been said that actions speak louder than words. Our actions certainly speak volumes about what we are on the inside. For example, in matters of morality, safeguarding the heart involves more than simply avoiding an act of fornication or adultery. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated: "Everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28) How can we avoid committing adultery even in our heart?

The faithful patriarch Job set an example for married Christian men and women. Job undoubtedly had ordinary dealings with younger women and even kindly helped them if they needed assistance. But the thought of having a romantic interest in them was out of the question for this man of integrity. Why? Because he had made a firm resolve not to gaze lustfully at women. "A covenant I have concluded with my eyes," he said. "So how could I show myself attentive to a virgin?" (Job 31:1) May we make a similar covenant with our eyes and safeguard our heart.

"The person faithful in what is least is faithful also in much," declared the Son of God, "and the person unrighteous in what is least is unrighteous also in much." (Luke 16:10) Yes, we need to examine our conduct in seemingly small matters of everyday life, even those taking place in the privacy of our home. (Psalm 101:2) While sitting in our house, watching television, or connecting to the internet, do we take care to comply with the Scriptural admonition: "Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people; neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming?" (Ephesians 5:3, 4) And what about the violence that may be available on television or in video games? "Jehovah himself examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one," said the psalmist, "and anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates." -Psalm 11:5

"The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate," warned Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 17;9) this treachery of the heart may manifest itself when we make excuses for our errors, minimize shortcomings, rationalize away serious personality flaws or exaggerate accomplishments. A desperate heart is also capable of taking on a two-sided posture-smooth lips saying one thing, actions saying another. (Psalm 12:2; Proverbs 23:7) How vital that we be honest as we examine what comes out of the heart!

Next time: Is Our Eye Simple?

Watchtower, 2001