Heart Check: Aligning Your Words with Your Faith

Have you ever found yourself speaking words that felt hollow, disconnecting your true intentions from what you express? Join me, JM, as we navigate the treacherous waters of sincerity in faith and life, anchored by scripture in the latest Cross and Cup Podcast. Together, we confront the reality of insincerity, inspired by Proverbs' cautionary words about hidden agendas. Our journey is further enriched by the stern wisdom in Matthew 15:8, which challenges us to reconcile our spoken affirmations with the truth in our hearts.

This episode is not just about reflection—it's a call to action, to live authentically in God's grace. We unravel the Apostle Paul's advice from 2 Corinthians on self-examination, embracing the divine insight of 1 Samuel 16:7 that emphasizes God's focus on our true selves, beyond mere appearances. Through the lens of Tim Keller's 'The Prodigal God', we celebrate the beauty of redemption that sincerity brings. As you listen, I challenge you to scrutinize your relationships for the genuine love and truth that define Jesus' example. Together, let's commit to a path of genuine connections, where our words and deeds align in a symphony of transparent faith.

This episode of "The Cross and Cup Podcast" includes references to additional resources and readings available on our blog at www.thecrossroadscollective.org For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to the Cross and Cup Podcast. I'm JM, your host, and I'm thrilled to have you join us as we dive into the scripture, blending faith with reason. Every week, we take a critical yet respectful look at the Bible, aiming to deepen and strengthen our faith through thoughtful discussion. Remember to subscribe, leave your thoughts in the comments and catch our episodes on Spotify, apple Podcasts or your favorite listening platform. Thanks for tuning in. Now let's get into today's episode and continue our journey of discovery together. Welcome to the Cross and Cup Podcast. I'm your host, jm.

Speaker 1: 0:37

Today, we gather around the powerful piece of scripture and explore what it really means to live with sincerity in both our words and in our hearts. Before we dive into it, let's start with a prayer. Lord, we are grateful for this opportunity to delve into your word. Enlighten our minds and warm our hearts. Guide us towards deeper understanding and genuine relationships with you and those around us Amen. Now let's talk about a verse from Proverbs that really hits home on this issue, for he is like the one who is inwardly calculating Eat and drink. He says to you, but his heart is not with you. It is a stark reminder of how, sometimes, what we say doesn't match what we truly, really feel you ever meet someone like that, that it feels like you're receiving a gift, like a a nice receiving a nice gift box, and then it's beautifully wrapped but completely empty inside. We've all had that, haven't we? And it's not just about others, it's about us too. Reflecting on this, another scripture comes to mind matthew 15 8. This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts is far from me. It's a clear warning about the dangers of a disconnect between our outward expressions and our true inner feelings. So what does it really take to align our hearts with our words?

Speaker 1: 2:00

The Apostle Paul gives us a starting point in 2 Corinthians 13.5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith, test yourselves. Now, this isn't about doubting our faith, but about ensuring that our actions truly reflect it. And why is this alignment so important? Now let's consider God's perspective. In 1 Samuel 16.7, we learn For the Lord sees not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks in the heart. God doesn't get fooled by facade. He knows us deeply and intimately, and he calls us to approach him and others with nothing but truth.

Speaker 1: 2:40

Now, how do we make sure we live this way? Well, it begins with sincere prayer and self-reflection. We need to ask God to help us identify and remove pretty much any pretense. Being honest with ourselves is a really crucial step and when we fail to be sincere, well, the beauty of our faith lies in redemption. 1 John 1.9 offers us comfort If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. It's about coming clean with God and seeking to mend our ways.

Speaker 1: 3:15

Now, speaking of mending our ways, tim Keller, great author and if you haven't read any of his books I recommend Tim Keller talks about this beautifully in his book the Prodigal God. He describes how the father in the parable warmly welcomes his lost son when he returns home, not because the son deserves it, but because his father's unending love. It's a powerful reminder of the grace awaiting us when we turn to sincerity. Now, as we near the end of our time together today, I want to leave you with a challenge. Look at your relationships. Are they marked by true sincerity? Are you giving the bread of your heart or it's just an empty package? Strive to reflect Jesus' love and truth in every interaction.

Speaker 1: 4:01

Now, finally, let's close in prayer. Dear God, thank you for revealing the true conditions of our hearts through your word. Help us to live lives that are sincere and transparent, aligning our words with our actions. Teach us to be genuine in our love for you and for others. Amen. Thank you for spending time with me on the Cross and Cup podcast. Keep the faith, keep your heart true and I'll talk to you again soon, god bless.

Speaker 1: 4:33

Thanks for joining us on today's broadcast of the Cross and Cup podcast. If you enjoyed the content, please subscribe, leave a comment and share the podcast with friends and family. It really helps us grow and which more is used. We'd also love to invite you to check out our blog at thecrossroadwiththoughtcom. There you'll find a wealth of great articles, some inspired by the episodes you just listened to, along with topics that touch upon our faith. Additionally, explore our devotionals and poetry. Books available on Amazon in all formats. All proceeds from these books are donated to the New York School of the Bible, part of my home church, calvary Baptist Church in New York City. Thank you again for tuning in and we can't wait to share more with you next time on the Cross and Cut Podcast.