a simple test

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Romans 2:25-3:8. Paul tells us how we can know if our hearts are truly changed.

Because it can be hard to tell, right? I mean, we can go to church every week and pray all the time, but not really FEEL like we've changed. But Paul tells us how we can tell. He says, "A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people."

That's a good litmus test. If you find yourself constantly trying to find the approval and praise of other people, and if your main motivation most of the time is to get their admiration, then you probably need to spend more time with Him and ask Him to change your heart.

And an important thing to remember in spending time with Him is being still. If you throw a rock into a roaring river, you can't even tell you threw it... the river continues roaring on just like before.

But if you throw a rock into a still pond, the whole pond is transformed. The splash is apparent, and the ripples send waves through the whole pool, all the way to the shore.

So still your mind (ask for help if you need it) and ask Him to truly change your heart, so that you seek His praise rather than people's.

God, thanks for teaching us how to still our minds so You can transform our hearts.