Pondering Proverbs

Proverbs 22:11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.

It is interesting how often the notion of heart spirituality is referenced throughout the old testament. The heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person. It is the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It has been described as “the place of conscious and decisive spiritual activity,” “the comprehensive term for a person as a whole; his feelings, desires, passions, thought, understanding and will,” and “the centre of a person. The place to which God turns.”

Benjamin Franklin set himself 13 virtues that he would endeavour to embed within himself. If you like to become the heart of who he was.

These names of virtues, with their precepts, were:

1. Temperance - Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. Silence - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order - Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution - Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. Industry - Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity - Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice - Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation - Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11. Tranquility - Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

13. Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Jesus put this heart religion in focus when he said, “Blessed are those who are pure in heart—they will see God.”

Father, give me wisdom in my personal relationships. Help them to be healthy and to affirm the dignity of everyone involved. Jesus, when I am tempted to mock others, remind me of who I am, and my responsibility to portray you well. By your Holy Spirit grant me peace, so I can rise above the temptation to engage in petty and abusive behaviours. Amen.