Only What Builds Up

"Don't speak something against someone whom My heart is toward."

"Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth... Only what is for building up."

"If you're gonna talk about them, let it be something that will be for their good. Not something that will damage them, or their character, or their status in someone else's eyes."

"The fact that you could muster up a negative thought or a word toward somebody else is evidence that your heart toward them is different than Mine."

"If you truly want My heart, truly wish to see with My eyes, it will cost you everything within yourself that isn't Me."

-- Sincerely,
    Jesus





This hit me hard. Over the smallest thing. And nobody else was even around to hear or to experience what was going on with my heart. It was something I said in jest, not meant to hurt or offend. But the Lord brought the pain. He pretty much peered through all the layers right to my heart and said, "That doesn't sound like Me." I was crushed. And immediately brought to repentance, and restoration. And the whole time, all I could think was how thankful I was for such laser-focused conviction, however painful and humbling the encounter might've been. It illustrates the Father's working in my heart. That He's not yet satisfied with the extent that He can see Himself in me. And He's not willing to relent from the process of maturing & transforming me until every part of my life accurately represents and reflects Him.

Conviction is painful. It can be humiliating. But even in the midst, there is a presence of joy. Of hope. The proof is His presence.