May I borrow your mask…
May I borrow your mask…
By Karen Lucia
Tapia Hernandez
Nowadays, it has
become customary for us to wear a mask to go out of our homes, we can see them
in different colours such as: red, blue, black, grey, with prints or some other
design. But it is almost imperative that we wear a mask when we step out of our
homes. Something interesting about the use of masks is that someone can smile
behind it and no one would notice. However, behind a mask even if someone could
be smiling or doing a mean gesture, we would never know, just like when someone
is thinking something, we would not be able to tell what is going on in their
minds. And even though, someone may act one way, this does not imply that their
true intentions are shown. However, what we can do is control our thoughts.
Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)
23 Be careful how you think; your
life is shaped by your thoughts.
How many times
have we felt that some people are not truly genuine with us or indeed we have
been betrayed by them? For these undercover thoughts were manifested through
actions and attitudes. Hence, when God says we need to be careful in how we
think, it is stating that whenever we meditate on something erroneously we can
take the wrong decisions or act improperly towards others or even ourselves.
Matthew 15:18-19 (NKJV)
18 But those things which proceed out of
the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
When God
indicates we must renew our minds, He says this because it may be that sometimes
we may have thoughts that are not necessarily pure, on the contrary, they might
try to defile the integrity of our heart and our thoughts. When we renew our
minds, we are removing anything that might try to harm our neighbour or even
ourselves. As mentioned in the previous verse, what corrupts a man comes from
the heart (the Spanish PDT version translates this verse as what comes from the
mind), hence when we do not purify what comes out of our heart, we are harming
ourselves and others.
Likewise, we
could infer, that if we allow defiling thoughts plague our mind and we do not
restrain or control these thoughts, we will be acting in such a manner that
hinders not only our usual relationships but it will create a rupture in our
relationship with God.
Proverbs 21:27 (AMP)
27 The
sacrifice of the wicked is detestable and offensive
[to the Lord]. How much more
[unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention?
Even when we
try to do things “right” in front of God with second intentions, thinking that
no one else is looking, the moment we act dishonestly, our offerings and
sacrifices will be considered detestable to Him. Many people might think that
since no one found out or perhaps they did not speak what they said in front of
that person, it will not be unveiled and everything will be alright. Even if
the person who we spoke against is not present, the Omniscient God will always
be measuring our hearts, our intentions, and our thoughts and He will ensure
that those who walk in righteousness and integrity have His protection.
Proverbs 10:9-10 (AMP)
9 He
who walks in integrity and with
moral character walks securely,But he who
takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.10 He
who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;And the
babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
Upright is
defined as: ‘marked by strong moral rectitude[i]’,
while integrity is defined as: ‘the quality of being honest and having strong
moral principles that you refuse to change[ii]’.
Naturally, when one person does not control his views, he ends up expressing
what he did not dominate one way or another. As the word of God says, the
person may even look like a fool. In the one hand, God is indicating us that
whatever is against integrity or those who do not regulate his thoughts, will
suffer and be punished. On the other hand, God states that whoever does control
his judgements will feel safe and secure, hence counting with His protection.
Moreover, we
need to take into consideration what God thinks of our ways, attitudes, and
actions. Considering the Lord is the judge and jury of the nations walking in
integrity and with uprightness, guarantees we have access to His compassion and
protection.
Psalm 7:8 (NKJV)
8 The Lord shall judge the peoples;
Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
And according to my integrity within me.
Therefore, let’s remember that how we think, we will act, consequently we will be. Let’s not allow defiling ideas define who we are. On the contrary, let’s examine ourselves every day to walk in righteousness, under the protection and mercy of the Almighty. Lastly, let’s remember the promise of our Lord: ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.’ (Psalm 84:11, NKJV)
And if you have not accepted our Lord Jesus in
your heart, or you want to reconcile your relationship with Him, I urge you to
do it today and pray the following prayer out loud:
‘Lord Jesus, I ask you for forgiveness of my
sins, for my sins separate me from you. I recognize you as my only, sufficient
and truthful Saviour. I break every covenant with the world, with the flesh and
with the enemy. I give you thanks for the sacrifice in the cross. I know if I
were to die today, I will be in your arms. Amen.’
If you prayed
this prayer today, write to me at kltapiahernandez@gmail.com, I would love to
hear from you. And if this edified you, please share it with someone else. We
are a family in Christ and we are here to help each other out. May God bless
you!