What leads you….. heart or mind?

James 4:8

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

I am definitely guilty of this scripture. I would love to think in my mind that I follow the word to a tee everyday but the truth is that there isn’t small or large sins, they all carry the same weight.  Just because I’m not a murderer, a thief, an adulterer, you know the BIG SINS, I shouldn’t walk around thinking that I’m OKAY! Truth is that I’m NOT! What about those judgmental thoughts that roll around in my head, those sweet, really not so sweet words that come through my lips of gossip, those little yet sometimes powerful little white lies, the anger that I hold for someone and being unwilling to let go of it, my unwillingness to give of my time for someone needy because I need something for myself, watching images on the screen that encourage violence or sexual encounters, choosing to be unwise with my finances leaving my loved ones without the necessary or expecting others to pick up the responsibility where I left off. Most of these things don’t directly harm anyone else but at least indirectly they do. Sin doesn’t have to be huge or obvious to be a sin. And sometimes I believe that it’s simply BIGGER because I know better. I know God and what He desire for my life and yet I choose the other. I am NOT OKAY but yet with God I am!

Lord father, I pray that I will be more mindful of my subtle yet sinful ways today. That I will be conscious of my decisions, I will think before I open my mouth, that I will decide if I would want you to sit next to me as I watch that next TV/Movie, that I will be wiser with my finances, giving where I need to give, that I will not hold bitterness for others and I will remember how you see me and choose to see others in the same light. You are a loving and forgiving God, full of Grace, lending it to me daily. I thank You and I pray that I won’t take it for granted! Amen!