February 7: Checking your Heart Posture

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Checking Your Heart Posture

Key Text: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
— Psalm 139:23–24

In the 1990s, a saying swept through youth culture and even resonated with adults: “Check yourself before you wreck yourself.” It was a simple reminder that careless living and unchecked attitudes can lead to unnecessary destruction.

Many people are skilled at extrospection. We look outward and analyze everything and everyone around us. We can pinpoint the faults of others with precision. We can critique, evaluate, and diagnose what’s wrong “out there.”

But introspection is far less natural. It is a deliberate act. A spiritual discipline. A courageous choice.

It requires honesty—real honesty. It calls us to stop deflecting and start reflecting. It demands that we look into the mirror of our soul and allow God to reveal who we truly are beneath the surface.

When David prayed, “Search me, O God,” he wasn’t asking God to discover something new—God already knows everything. Instead, David was placing himself in a posture of transparency before the Lord. His heart was saying, “Lord, test the motives I hide from others. Expose the thoughts I pretend don’t exist. Show me anything in me that is not like You.”

Checking the posture of the heart is uncomfortable—but necessary. It can be painful—but it is healing. It humbles us—but it also transforms us.

As a teacher, I encourage my students to check over their work before submitting their tests. Although I hold the answer key, it is not given to the students until after their papers are marked.

Jesus, the Master Teacher, also invites us to check our hearts. But unlike me, He gives us the answer key upfront—the standard by which all answers are measured. That standard is the character of Jesus: His purity, His humility, His love, His obedience, His compassion, His holiness.

So the question is

How do you measure up when you honestly examine your heart and mind?

I encourage you today to pause and reflect:

  • Do your motives reflect Jesus?
  • Do your reactions look like Him?
  • Do your desires align with His?
  • Do your thoughts—spoken or unspoken—mirror His heart?

 Prayer

Father, help me to take an introspective look at my heart and mind. Then search my heart yourself.
Show me the places I have ignored, the attitudes I have justified, and the habits I have allowed to linger. Purify my thoughts, my motives, and my desires. Align me with the example of Jesus.
Lead me in the way everlasting.
Amen.

 

 

Comments

  1. Arlene Johnson McLeod7 February 2026 at 03:36

    Lord, help me to look in myself and allow You to remove any wicked ways and cleanse me for Your glory and purpose. 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙏🏽

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mackypryce7 February 2026 at 05:11

    🙏🙏🙏

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carlene Douglas7 February 2026 at 05:35

    Lord, help me to check the posture of my heart daily and adjust according to Your answer key.
    Thank you Sis. Terry for this timely word.

    ReplyDelete

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