Proverbs 15

Take Care of Your Inwards:

When a person's heart is right and as it should be, his outward actions will be right. The inwards (heart) control so much. 

Vs. 1 & 2 say: "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness." 

How can a person control his anger if he hasn't first worked on his heart to be disciplined and controlled? Whatever's in a heart will come out as soon as it's shaken. How can a person use his tongue correctly if he hasn't done the work in growing himself in the Lord and growing in discretion?

God's eyes are in EVERY place, and they see the evil and the good. No one can hide. We can all hide our hearts and true thoughts from other people. But not from God. He desires heart obedience over outward rituals. Heart obedience will lead to correct outward behavior. But outward actions that appear "godly" or "righteous" DOES NOT lead to a good heart or heart obedience. If a person is concerned with outward behavior more than his heart condition because of what others think or because he wants to appear a certain way, his outward worship is fake, therefore his words are just empty. We can be fake to others, but never to God.

 8: "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."  

 16: "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith." 

Friend, I encourage you with this today. Work on your inner heart and be more concerned about worshiping and serving God sincerely - not just outwardly. If your heart is right, your actions will be too.