It’s All About the Glory—Journal

We’ve identified how the sight, plight, and fight for glory shows up in us and in our relationships. It is the cause of our conflict from the playground to boots on the ground. We want glory to be the root of our aspiration in a positive way to make our dreams come true and not the root of our conflict. Under glory’s impulse and pressure, we can say and do things that are very troubling. Sometimes we get messed up when we see the praise, potential, and promise of others and want to pounce. In plight’s pathway, we are tested to make the right choices. We want to be on the receiving end glory, and when we are not, we’re susceptible to jealousy and envy. We battle with certain compulsions that would even wear away our sense of values and morality. We use our tongue to praise, and we use it to pounce. We use it give encouragement and discouragement. We find ourselves in such a conundrum. What should we do? Is there hope of a better way? Yes, there is. There is a champion of our conundrum, a good heart to stop and shut down these negative pressures. We need more love. But what kind of heart are these pressures tugging against?

The Bible teaches that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. It teaches that what comes out of the mouth defiles and dishonors us and that death and life are in the power of the tongue. What are the conditions of our hearts?

Interpretation of Parable of the Sower

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Mathew 13:18–23)

According to this passage, the soil is the heart. All heard and received the message in their heart. The seed by the wayside is the heart that does not understand. Regardless of how beneficial, you do not keep what you do not understand. It does not benefit or bring fruit. Seek understanding, and do not let a proud heart sabotage you. The wayside may be like an empty vacuum but can be filled and refilled.

The seed in the stony places is a heart that understands but has become hard. These are the folks that have been through difficult times. They have grown weary under the trials and troubles of life. They are discouraged through many persecutions and attacks. Dealing with many disappointments is frustrating, and a heart could even become bitter.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12 NIV)

The heart that is hard struggles to respond to conflicts in love. Sometimes there is so much hurt, brokenness, and pain that they want to kick what is kicked to them. Amazing how a little encouragement gives us a little more heart and strength to go on, contrary to a little discouragement that could cause us to lose heart and quit. Seek God to empower your heart with love.

The seed among the thorns is a heart that understands but is caught up. The cares of the world have them distracted and entangled. They are deceived and have

drifted into an impression that only through wealth, prosperity, and prominence will they find the path to a satisfying life. The Word of God is choked out and because unfruitful. Could this be their penchant for glory? Our need to move up in the world and get ahead seems to tug us in the subtlest of places, from driving on a roadway to moving across a grocery store aisle. Will we even feel the need to overcome our conflicts and differences with love when our hearts are caught up in the cares of the world?

The seed on good ground is the heart that hears, understands, and acts on God’s message. This heart took it in and is fruitful. God helps us to cultivate love. So whenever we apply God’s Word to our hearts, we can overcome and have victory, whatever our place in life. We can overcome issues and hurtful conflicts with a heart of love. In the Bible, there are many references that show that there is a connection between the tongue, wisdom, and the heart.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

After David sinned, he pointed to his heart as an antidote. He cried out to God to create in him a clean heart and renew the right spirit within them. He wanted his thoughts and desires to be honest and genuine—a heart that was pure, free from contamination, toxicity, and corruption. The condition of our hearts influences everything in our lives. So we must attend to the heart with a practice of detoxification by the Word of God, worship, and prayer to remove the poisonous effects and damages of offenses, hurts, and conflicts. We need God’s healing and help. Do not lose heart. In scripture, we see the threshold of victory is met with hearts that were clean, pure, loyal, and as one. God can give our hearts strength and love. The Bible teaches us that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). He gives a spirit of love. We need it and all the more to love one another despite our differences. Protect your heart from becoming empty, hard, and crowded out, and it will protect you in the time of conflict and hurtful attacks.