In the examination of our hearts during this pre-Passover time, we must consider the abundance of the heart as a reflection of our inner state. Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 12:34-35 that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things, while an evil man, out of the evil treasure, brings forth evil things. The word abundance, from the Greek perisseuma (Strong's 4051), signifies a surplus or superabundance, that which fills the heart and overflows. Likewise, the term treasure, from the Greek th&275;sauros (Strong's G2344), refers to a storehouse or repository, akin to a bucket that holds what we pour into it through our thoughts and actions. Our heart operates like a bucket under a waterfall, constantly receiving input and overflowing with output. What we allow to flow into our heart—be it God's Word, gratitude, or worldly distractions—determines what overflows through our words and deeds. If our heart is filled with good treasure, the Holy Spirit of God, we overflow with the fruit of His Spirit, fostering peace and unity. Conversely, if filled with evil treasure, we produce the fruit of carnal selfishness, leading to disunity. When we speak evil of others, it reveals the evil within our heart, polluting not only ourselves but also those around us as our overflow influences their hearts. Furthermore, our prayers to God reflect this abundance of the heart. They reveal whether our heart aligns with a poverty of spirit and His will, or if they are driven by self-centered desires. Honest prayers, acknowledging our wants yet seeking His will, demonstrate a heart striving to be transformed like His. God discerns every thought and intent, seeing the true condition of our heart through our heartfelt prayers, as we bring forth our shortcomings and seek His help to create in us a clean heart.

In Matthew 12:34, Jesus teaches that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. He explains that a good man brings forth good things from the good treasure of his heart, while an evil man brings forth evil things from the evil treasure of his heart. This principle extends beyond daily conversations to our prayers before God. Have we considered that out of the abundance of our prayers, or the lack thereof, our heart speaks? Do we deeply think about what we say to Him, organizing and improving how we present our requests, and reflecting on the attitude with which we approach the great God of the universe? God knows our every thought, desire, and emotion, making it impossible to hide anything from Him. He sees the tender feelings we have toward others' plights, our patience, forbearance, and true outgoing concern for the brethren, as well as the deep love for those who request our prayers for healing. Conversely, He notices when we are self-centered, pursuing our own desires, or ignoring others' needs. He discerns our attitudes when approaching His throne, whether we value the time spent in conversation with Him or are merely going through the motions. In the abundance of our prayers, our hearts reveal what we are most interested in, our goals, and our aspirations, serving as a gauge to monitor our spiritual growth and transformation into God's image.

The concept of the Abundance of the Heart is central to understanding how our inner being shapes our ability to see God. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," emphasizing that purity at the core of our being is essential for spiritual clarity. The heart, derived from the Greek word cardia and the Hebrew word leb, represents the intangible essence of who we are—our character, emotions, intellect, desires, and will. It is the seat of our moral and spiritual condition, determining whether we are inclined toward God or swayed by human nature. Scripture reveals the heart's dual nature. In Jeremiah 17:9-10, it is described as deceitful and desperately wicked, a source of human depravity that only God can fully know and judge. Similarly, in Mark 7:20-23, Jesus explains that what defiles a person comes from within the heart—evil thoughts, sins, and wickedness—showing that our inner being defines our actions and words. Yet, Deuteronomy 6:4-5 calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and might, indicating a total commitment of our inner self to Him. God laments in Deuteronomy 5:29 that His people lack the heart to fear Him and keep His commandments, highlighting the need for an inclination toward obedience and receptivity. To see God, the heart must be cleansed and transformed. This begins with God's act of justification, purifying us through faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in Acts 15:8-9, where God acknowledges and purifies hearts by faith. However, purification is a lifelong process. James 4:7-9 urges us to submit to God, resist the devil, cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts, addressing the double-mindedness caused by the conflict between our carnal nature and the mind of Christ. I Peter 1:22-23 connects this purification to obeying the truth through the Spirit, resulting in fervent love for one another from a pure heart. Ultimately, I John 3:3 states that everyone who hopes to see Him as He is must purify themselves, just as He is pure. The Abundance of the Heart, therefore, reflects the principle that our inner purity determines our spiritual vision. As we strive to cleanse our hearts, aligning our inclinations and actions with God's will, we draw closer to Him. Psalm 24:3-6 reinforces this, declaring that those with clean hands and a pure heart, who seek God's face, will stand in His holy place. Thus, purifying the heart is not merely an internal change but a necessary path to seeing and serving God in His Kingdom.

God's measurement system extends beyond mere outward obedience to the letter of the law. Jesus Christ emphasizes in Matthew 22:37 that we must love the Lord our God with all our heart. This call to wholehearted devotion appears repeatedly in Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy where we are urged multiple times to seek, love, fear, serve, and obey Him with all our heart. The heart, representing our mind, inner feelings, thoughts, passions, desires, and intentions, is the center of our intelligence and drives our outward actions, including our words and deeds. God judges the heart, searching and testing it, as numerous scriptures affirm. Jesus declares in Matthew 5:8 that the pure in heart are blessed, for they shall see God. Conversely, He warns in Matthew 18:35 of severe consequences for those who do not forgive their brother from their heart. As we approach Passover, it is our heart—our underlying attitude, intent, and complete submission to His will—that we must examine, recognizing that God is more concerned with this than mere outward compliance. Jesus further teaches in Matthew 12:34 that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, revealing that our words reflect our inner state. The Pharisees, despite their strict adherence to the law, fell short of God's standard due to their self-righteous hearts. In contrast, God's heart is described as meek and lowly, characterized by great power under restraint and a humble willingness to serve, as Jesus exemplifies in Matthew 11:29. This divine standard calls us to cultivate a heart that is poor in spirit, meek, humble, and lowly, ensuring that our speech and actions align with a right inner condition, avoiding evil communication and harsh judgment of others.

The tongue holds the power of life and death, as it can lift someone up with encouragement or cause despair with destructive words. An encouraging word to someone who is struggling can help him persevere, while a harsh word may lead him to give up. As we grow in brotherly love, we must remember the immense power of our speech. The tongue, though small, can ignite great harm, as a tiny spark sets a forest ablaze. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison, capable of both blessing the Lord and cursing men made in God's likeness. Such contradictions should not be, for our words reflect the abundance of our heart and shape our interactions with one another.