POSITIVE HEART TRAITS (3)

“A SOUND HEART is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” – Proverbs 14:30

There are additional POSITIVE HEART TRAITS that Believers should nurture: “A SOUND HEART is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” (Pro.14:30).Having meditated on the trusting, discerning, cheerful, contrite, and clean heart, sound and wise hearts are further dimensions of the new heart that God creates in us.

SOUND or PEACEFUL HEART: “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones” (Pro.14:30). The Amplified Bible says: “A CALM and PEACEFUL and TRANQUIL HEART is life and health to the body…” This “heart at peace” belongs to those who see what they own or have accomplished and are gratefully content. They’re not always looking at others and their “stuff.” They understand the admonition: “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass” (Psa.37:7). A tranquil heart lowers blood pressure. The serene, content heart gives life. Like a cancer, envy destroys what is healthy, preventing one from enjoying the blessings and relationships at hand.

Peace is protection! Resident in a heart that God’s Grace has made tranquil, are sound principles of truth and righteousness, which preserve one from sin and protects from diseases such that the life of the flesh is kept safe, robust, in health, vigour, and comfort. A sound is free from wrath, anger, envy, and unwholesome emotions! Envying the prosperity of others preys upon one’s own spirit, wastes the flesh, and weakens and consumes the bones. When we daily sustain a calm, undisturbed mindset, we are ministering “life” and “health” to ourselves; and literally protecting our hearts, minds, and bodies. Knowing God’s Presence gives contentment: “Be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb.13:5).  Jesus also assured: “I am with you always” (Mt.28:20). What more do we need?

WISE HEART: “The WISE in HEART will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall” (Pro.10:8). Like the Beareans, the wise love to be taught (Acts 17:11). They appreciate instruction and are submissive and obedient. Fools dislike discipline. They would rather babble, chatter, and complain. Verse 33 of today’s meditation passage says: “Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known.” The wise and the foolish differ in two important ways. First, a wise person has knowledge and understanding, but a fool is ignorant and presumptuous. Second, a wise person has humility to keep his wisdom to himself, but a fool’s pride causes him to spew out the foolishness in his heart: “a fool lays open his folly” (Pro.13:16b).

A wise heart is evidenced throughby wise communication. A person of discretion keeps wisdom in his heart. He is a person of few words, not eager to throw opinions around, content to be a listener. He would not speak unless asked or expected to do so. In contrast, folly is often loquacious: “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness” (Pro.15:2). A fool must tell everyone what he thinks: “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Pro.29:11). Once he starts talking, he is difficult to stop. He keeps babbling, whether he knows the subject or not (Eccl.10:12-14). Though a fool is ignorant, his pride and indiscretion cause him to pour out folly. He could improve his reputation just by closing his mouth: “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive” (Pro.17:28).

God’s Heart rejoices in the wise-hearted: “My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice – indeed, I myself” (Pro.23:15). Wisdom is win-win! We win by being wise and pleasing God and men. Parents win through wise children: “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him. Let your father and your mother be glad…” (Pro.23:24-25a).