Some “through the bible” thoughts from Luke 6.
“What’s on your mind?”
Sounds like a good question. But a better question would be, “What’s in your heart?” At least that’s what Jesus says.
“Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 ESV)
“The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45 NIV).
If you want to know what someone really cares about, just listen. Listen to their words. Pay attention to their vocabulary. Do you hear what they’re saying? What we say just never comes from our mouths. It’s not about what we’ve learned. It comes from deep within. It comes from our hearts.
- Does every sentence begin with “I?” Guess who is the most important person in their life?
- How frequently do they mention money, purchases, or possessions? They’ve revealed the identity of their God.
- Have they told you about everything they can’t stand, won’t tolerate, and absolutely hate? A lot of anger escapes in their words.
- Admission of worry, concern, and doubt reveals fear.
It’s not all bad. Sometimes our words reveal beautiful heart-held truths.
- Does the speaker ask a lot of questions? They care a lot about you.
- Words of gratitude flow from those who know the one who gives them life, and breath, and everything. They have a close, personal relationship with the provider.
- What if they obsess about the hurts and needs of others? Perhaps they see people as Jesus did: sheep who need a shepherd.
- Do you hear joy in their words? Do they see the hand of God in the most difficult of situations? Their hearts are attuned to the one who truly holds our lives in his hands.
Here’s your assignment. Listen carefully to what another is saying. What do you hear that’s coming from their heart?
After working with people for so many years you would think I would have learned this a long time ago: beneath people’s tough exterior is a tender soul.
Waite for it... 