Lenten Lessons: Three Questions to Prepare Your Heart for Battle
Every day is a battle.
Our hearts wage war to find joy. Our minds fight to discern truth. Our hands wrestle to value work.
Do you feel it too?
John Mark Comer, a pastor and author says in his recent book, Live No Lies, “We feel this constant conflict not just “out there” in culture or in our digital news feeds, but inside the fabric of our own minds and bodies. A kind of inner tug-of-war that is emotionally exhausting and spiritually depleting, a tearing at the fabric of our souls’ peace.”
Why such conflict, you ask? As Comer says, “ We prefer to think of following Jesus as a journey or lifestyle rather than a war.” But, the truth remains there is a constant fight for all things good, true and beautiful, therefore, we must prepare ourselves for it.
The season of Lent, which refers to the period of time in the liturgical church calendar from Ash Wednesday to Easter, is an opportunity to loosen our grasp on the things of this world and strengthen our grip on the anchor of our soul. It is a time of acknowledgement, repentance, and lament.
As we enter this Lenten season, our hearts are simultaneously processing headlines of battles from around the world. It is in this context of desperation for God to intervene on behalf of Ukraine that I’m crying out for Him to move in my life as well.
I’m asking these three questions, so that I, too, can prepare my heart for battle, and fight for goodness, truth, beauty even now.
What voices echo in my ear?
In Proverbs 7-9, I read wise advice from father to son, detailing which influences vie for our attention. Along city streets two distinct voices are heard: folly and wisdom.
Folly
Folly is likened to a prostitute bidding her services. Her voice calls out to lure one away from their intended destination—promising life and pleasure, but ending in death.
“The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Proverbs 9:13-18 ESV
Our days are filled with the voice of the adulterer, are they not? Voices from without as well as within, calling us away from the path our loving Father has set before us. These are the voices that promise something better, something greater—in short, anything other than what is to provide satisfaction.
I know her voice well. I wage war with her words on a daily basis as my heart wrestles to deny the lure of this world with all of its wealth, praise, comforts, and possessions. The only way I can fight this voice is to give my attention to another one that is louder.
2. Wisdom
The other voice: wisdom.
“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud…Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth… Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” Proverbs 8:1-11 ESV
Wisdom can be defined as applied knowledge or right living based on right thinking. The book of Proverbs assurance us that wisdom is more valuable than any earthly acquisition or possession because it is a result of our dependence on God.
If you are at a crossroads today, wondering which way you should go, which path you should follow, or which voice to trust, pause and discern which voice has your ear. Ask yourself:
What voices am I giving my ear to most in this season?
Is it the voice of wisdom, aligned with God’s Word and His desires for your life, or the voice of empty promises aligned with the desires of your heart?
May we continue to pray for discernment to distinguish between the two and may it lead us to lasting joy.
What objects capture my attention?
I am acutely aware of my divided heart.
I long to focus my time and energy on the things that matter most in light of eternity, but easily become distracted. Anyone else?
Throughout scripture I find characters like Solomon, who provide relatable company. While Solomon was building the temple for the holy God, he was simultaneously building luxurious accommodations for himself and his wife.
I wonder, how much more I could do for the Kingdom of God if I wasn’t constantly working to build up my own?
As much as I pride myself on multi-tasking, it becomes dangerous at the heart level, doesn’t it?
Psalm 119:37 has become a beloved verse for me through the years as I long for an undivided heart.
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” Psalm 119:37 ESV
If Lent is a season of preparation for Easter, where Christians celebrate the risen Christ, then it behooves me to contemplate what is capturing my attention beyond the cross? Am I looking to other people, other things, or other experiences to satisfy or save me?
If my heart and my gaze is fixed on anything or anyone other than Jesus as my true Savior, then I am continuing to chose a life enslaved to the things of this world. Perhaps you could list a few things that have your attention in this season. Don’t know where to start? Reflect on these questions:
What do you find yourself dwelling on each evening as you lay down for bed?
What do you find yourself thinking through each morning as you wake up?
What causes you the most anxiety in this season?
What areas do you spend your most time, your most money, or your most energy on right now?
Let us allow these questions to both uncover and re-center our eyes on the cross as we prepare for battle.
What words exit my mouth?
OK, maybe you’ve been hanging with me until now and wonder how in the world we could win a battle of the heart with our mouth. The answer lies in the fact that our words matter. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone within your circle of influence: friends, spouse, children.
Ironically, letters form the exact structure that our Enemy wields to tear down that which we are called to build up, and to prevent us from being confident in battle. Perhaps you’ve also heard it said that our words are an overflow of the heart. Solomon speaks to this in Proverbs 10.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses…The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. Proverbs 10:11-14 ESV
Let’s take these few verses as an example: we can speak words of life or words of death both to others and ourselves. We can use our words to stir up strife or to cover offenses and bring healing. This passage reminds us of wisdom and folly. The bottom line: a wise mouth speaks words of life, but a fool brings ruin.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1ESV
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 ESV
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 ESV
I am an eyewitness to the effect of my speech on others. Just like you, I read articles as well as Instagram captions and comments that simply exist to tear down. If I want to battle for a life of wisdom (truth, goodness, and beauty) as well as a heart undivided, I must consider a soft answer and a gentle tongue as my greatest weapons.
It seems counterintuitive.
We think of warriors wielding weapons of destruction, but the way of victory in Christ is with words of healing, love, understanding, and grace to those around us. It is how He speaks to us. So, ask yourself:
How can I pursue wisdom with my speech?
How can I speak truth to myself with a tone of gentleness, understanding, and love?
Is the way that I communicate with others stirring up strife or extending grace and love?
We can be confident that as we focus on speaking truth to ourselves, it will naturally overflow to those around us. For more on the power of gracious speech, download this FREE devotion for ways to overcome our combative culture.
As we battle forward in a life of faith, I pray we examine our hearts, heads, and hands along the way. I pray as we loosen our grip on the things of this world that God would tether our hearts more tightly to His promises and His way of life.
May this Lenten season of reflection and repentance lead us to a season of deeper joy and satisfaction in the work and way of Christ.
Amen.