Man's countenance is frequently an index of his thoughts, and the fruit of his attitude of mind is often displayed in his words, his ways, his will, and his walk. Corrupt hearts breed corruption, while a sanctified heart exhibits Christ-likeness. It is careless speech, a critical attitude, thoughtless behaviour, and an unrighteous lifestyle that warns us that we have fallen from grace and strayed from the path of peace. It is the inner heart that identifies a life that is walking in spirit and truth. Reverence and respect towards our heavenly Father, a Christlike love towards others, and inner peace, is often identified through the godly works, pure thoughts, and sound speech, that flows through our daily life. God alone knows a man's heart and can read the secret thoughts in the inner depths of his soul, but it is the outworking of those concealed attributes, which are demonstrated through words, actions, and attitudes, that manifests a man's true identity to his fellow-man. The literal translation of this verse reads, " like water face to face, so is the heart of man to a man." Too often we are quick to identify the qualities, or criticise the defects we see reflected in the life of a fellow believer, but often we are not as swift to identify areas in our own hearts that need to be critically analysed and spiritually evaluated as unholy or detrimental to our spiritual growth, offered-up to the Lord, and purged. Just as we are enabled to study the physical characteristics of our facial features through the mirror-image, reflected in a clear standing-pool of water, so an examination of the inner thoughts of the heart gives a reliable indication of our spiritual standing - or perhaps uncovers a hypocritical facade. Just as gazing into the mirror-like qualities of a still water-pool reflect the detailed features of a man's face, so the standards and qualities residing deep within a heart, reflect a man's character and display the innermost calibre of his soul.
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