Check Your Heart, Part 1: Do You Hear Yourself? // Joel Thomas
Jan 28, 2024
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Joel Thomas, a guest on this podcast, discusses the connection between the words we say and the condition of our hearts. Topics include internal dissonance, the impact of hurtful words, the misapplication of the law, the connection between integrity and the contents of your heart, exploring the shadow side and complexity of individuals, and the relationship between words and the heart.
Monitoring the nature of your words can help you monitor the condition of your heart, revealing what's in your heart.
Hurtful and destructive words often stem from unresolved emotions stored in the heart, emphasizing the importance of examining and transforming our thoughts.
Deep dives
The Importance of Monitoring the Emotional and Spiritual Health of Your Heart
In this podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the significance of paying attention to the emotional and spiritual condition of one's heart. While there are tests and evaluations available for monitoring the physical health of the heart, the speaker poses the question of how we monitor our emotional and spiritual well-being. Quoting the wisdom of Solomon, the speaker notes that the heart is the command center of our lives, including our mind, will, feelings, and emotions. The words and actions that flow from our heart can impact our relationships, professional life, and personal growth. Thus, the speaker suggests that guarding our hearts and monitoring their condition is essential. Over the next few weeks, the podcast will explore three specific indicators for monitoring the health of our hearts.
The Power of Words and Their Impact on Our Hearts
This episode delves into the power of words and how they can have a significant impact on our hearts. While the saying 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me' is popular, it is ultimately a fallacy. The speaker acknowledges that most people can recall occasions where words have wounded them deeply, coming from parents, coaches, friends, or others. The speaker emphasizes that words have the capacity to both hurt and heal, narrating personal experiences to highlight the lasting impact of hurtful words. The importance of recognizing the damaging nature of hurtful words and the need to change our mindset is emphasized. Understanding that our words are an indicator of what is stored in our heart, the speaker encourages listeners to pay attention to the nature of their words and be curious about what might be stored in their hearts.
Exploring the Connection Between Stored Emotions and Destructive Words
The episode focuses on the connection between stored emotions and destructive words that come from our hearts. The speaker explains that hurtful, critical, and deceitful words often stem from stored emotions, such as anger, sadness, envy, or shame. These emotions, when unresolved, can lead to hurtful and destructive behavior. Putting it in the context of a cross-section of a person, the speaker illustrates the layers beneath the surface, where emotions tied to harmful words reside. The speaker urges listeners to examine the hurt or hang-ups they may be storing in their hearts and the impact they have on their words and actions. By understanding this connection, listeners are encouraged to undergo a process of restoration, renewing their thoughts to transform their hearts and, ultimately, their lives.
The Process of Restoring and Renewing the Heart through Cognitive Restructuring
The podcast episode concludes by highlighting the process of restoring and renewing the heart through cognitive restructuring. Drawing from biblical wisdom and techniques employed in cognitive behavioral therapy, the speaker emphasizes the importance of renewing our thoughts to transform our hearts. By replacing negative or irrational thoughts with more realistic and positive ones, we can break free from destructive patterns in our words and behaviors. The renewal of the mind is presented as a key step towards personal transformation and restoration. The speaker urges listeners to pay attention to their words, explore the emotions tied to their actions, and seek to replace negative thoughts with true and wholesome perspectives. The ultimate goal is to restore the wellspring of life within the heart, leading to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
One way to test the spiritual condition of your heart is to listen to the words you say. In Matthew 15:10–20, Jesus teaches that the words we say reveal what’s in our hearts. Monitoring the nature of your words can help you monitor the condition of your heart. When it comes to your heart, do you hear yourself?
