Proverbs 15:26, Thoughts Are The Index Of Character!

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October 2, Proverbs 15:26

Matt. 15:1-20; Heb. 4:12 “Let the thoughts of my heart be acceptable to Thee, O Lord.”

Thoughts Are The Index Of Character!

The contrast here is between the thoughts of the evil and the words of the pure. These thoughts are said to be an abomination to the Lord, while the words of pleasantness (marg.) are acceptable. Perowne points out that, according to Maurer, there may be a sacrificial meaning intended because of the reference in Malachi to a pure offering (1:11). Calvin and others believe the pure offering is not something happening at the time of the prophet, but is yet future, when the heathen are received into the kingdom of God (K-D).

1. The Abhorred: The Thoughts of the Wicked are an abomination to God. They represent the purposes (15:22) or devices of the heart even before they are hatched into the light of day. “Thoughts are the immediate spawn of the original corruption” (Charnock). Men may react to one open sin with an accusing finger, but see no serious problem with the seething-sea of evil thoughts harboured secretly in defiance of God. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. We are shaped by our thought-life. If the thoughts of such could be opened to view, what abominations would appear! What a mass of corruption or vanity does one day or one hour accumulate? Someone called these thoughts “hells in embryo”! The holy nature of God recoils in disgust at all such sinful thoughts. What else can they be but an abomination to a holy Lord? Jeremiah uses this same word when he cries against the sins of Judah, How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee (Jer. 4:14)? “Kept out,” these vain thoughts can’t always be; yet when they enter, “lodged” they must not be (Jer. 6:19). But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? “God will not live in the parlour of our hearts if we entertain the devil in the cellar of our thoughts” (CHS).

2. The Acclaimed: The Words of the Pure are pleasant words, and, therefore, acceptable to God (Pr. 16:24; Ps. 37:30-31). The God of Scripture is no remote, impersonal power somewhere out there, as we have remarked before. He is the Infinite, Eternal, Personal, God with a Heart that loves, that feels, and that reacts to His children’s words. He invites them to come into communion with Him through prayer (15:8, 29; Ps. 19:14; 69:13). He loves those that follow after righteousness (15:9). He has prepared a reward for those that love Him. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and thought upon his name. They shall be mine, saith the Lord, in the day when I make up my jewels (Mal. 3:16-17). This is certainly a reference to the future. Therefore, when we, who claim to be Christians, know that God sees our thoughts, even though others do not, ought we not to cry for cleansing daily? Let every true believer open himself or herself to the Word of God that alone discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Sing them over again to me!
Wonderful words of Life!

Thought: “Thoughts, even more than overt acts, reveal character” (Wm. S. Plumer).

Prayer: Let my thoughts and my words be pleasant to Thee, O Lord.