“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
- Proverbs 4:23 NLT
““Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.””
- Matthew 15:16-20 NLT
There are four emotions that should ding our consciences. They should cause us to pause and look inward to see what’s going on in our hearts. They are guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy.
Guilt - I owe you.
In response to guilt, confess. Confess to the person; bring it to the light.
Anger - You owe me.
In response to anger, forgive. Forgive the person who owes you. Let them off the hook.
Greed - I owe me.
In response to greed, give. Become a generous giver. No strings. No score.
Jealousy - Life owes me.
In response to jealousy, celebrate the other person. Write them a note. Compliment them on the very thing you may be jealous of.
