Let's begin by talking about our hearts. Let God reveal to us through His word the truths concerning our hearts. Philippians 4:7 says and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. God is revealing in this scripture that it is the peace that guards our hearts and minds and is, in fact, greater than all understanding. Do you have peace in your heart all the time, everyday? I have to confess I spent many years of my walk with God, and didn't have much peace in my heart. I had to ask myself, "why don't I have peace?" The truth of the matter was I was full of turmoil the majority of the time. I was not experiencing the peace that Jesus died for me to have in this life as a believer. Praise God! He has opened my eyes to see the revelation about the heart, and how important it is to protect my heart against all evil thinking. My heart was full of resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, always focusing on the negative experiences in my life. If I tried to let it go, Satan would send someone to remind me about it. Have you been there? Believe me! People knew exactly what was in my heart, because of what was coming out of my mouth. The world and its definition of what they call reality and truth, which isn't truth, was stronger in my heart than God's Word. Its God's Word that is absolute in every area in our lives; not the world. John 8:32 says "and you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free." You know I had no peace, and was unable to protect my heart, because I wasn't renewing my mind to the truth in God's word. Instead my heart was full of the evil of the world. So what have you allowed in your heart? Is it bringing peace or turmoil?

Let's shed light on what God says in His word about how we can fall into a trap. Not guarding our hearts, but being deceived to believe we can walk in the fullness of Christ without doing a heart check on a regular basis. First question I want to ask you is, "what are you thinking about all the time? What do you spend the majority of your time meditating on? Is it the truth of God's word? Or is it all the negative of this world; people, situations or things that perhaps dominating your heart? In Proverbs 23:7 it says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Whatever we are thinking on is the driving force that will either bring us victory or defeat in our lives. Let me ask you to STOP for a moment and examine your heart. Does it line up with God's truth or what you perceive as being truth instead? Boy! When we get into what we think about situations, people, and things that does not line up with the Word of God, it will never bring peace in our hearts. God is not interested in what we think, but what He thinks in all situations; all the time in His children's lives. One thing I totally understand about myself is: "I am not God, He is!" or as Andrew Wommack would say, "There is a God, and I'm not Him". Romans 12:19 says beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," says the Lord. Remember in Isaiah 55: 8, 9 for My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts then your thoughts. I had spent years of trying to avenge myself, and it doesn't work! What I thought was right, and how I saw it, was not right at all. The devil is a deceiver, and if we let Satan get into our hearts, he will deceive you to believing something about that situation that is not even the truth at all. If we have evil in our hearts, it will keep you sick and defeated. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding will not guard your heart, instead you will be miserable.

Proverbs 27:19 says, as in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man. I will tell you that my heart and what was in it, revealed the women in me. Was it full of the love of Christ, toward others and myself? We need take an inventory of what's in our hearts. Our heart needs to be full of the truth of God's word and His attributes? When we look into a mirror, do we see the reflection of being a new creation in Him? Are we seeing people and situations in our lives from God's point of view? Does our belief system towards others and situations line up with what God says about them? Or are our hearts full of evil towards others, speaking poorly about others, and acting negatively toward others? Saints, if we want victory in our lives, we need to examine our hearts, and repent for any evil we have allowed to get into our hearts. It is so important that we have nothing in our hearts except God's love, mercy, and grace. Matthew 7:1-2 says, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured by to you." How can we stop judgment in our life? Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for. If we don't die to the flesh, we will always battle with what we allow in our hearts, and we will always struggle walking in the peace of God. The truth is no matter who is wrong or right, it is God business and He is faithful and will take care of it. Matthew 12:34 says. Brood of vipers! How can you being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Saints, we can tell what's in our hearts by what is coming out of our mouths, Amen! Immediately we can tell what's in anybodies heart just by talking to them. Is there words given glory to God or Satan? Even a wrong thought about someone is casting judgment.

Psalm 139:23, 24 says Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. This is a prayer that we need to pray everyday of our lives. It will guard and protect our heart, and cause us to walk in the peace of God.

So do you have a root bitterness? Are you a stumbling block to others through gossip? Are you casting judgment on others from your opinions and your own understanding? What a dangerous place to be; we will reap what we sow, Amen! I am a Pastor, but God doesn't give me permission to get into others business, unless they ask me for advice. The Pastor is called to train and equip the Saints for the work of the ministry, praying for them to grow up and mature in Christ through the preaching of His word. Love them with an unconditional love, encouraging them in their walk with Christ. We are not to cast judgment on them, through exposing their mistakes, passing it through the whole church, or calling up another Pastor so we can have God's sheep for lunch. What we do to them, we are doing to Christ Himself. Satan is the accuser of the brethren, Amen! In John 4:24 Christ sees His people in the Spirit; never looking at there mistakes, but seeing them through the sacrifice of Jesus. You know God doesn't judge anyone until they are dead, Amen! Why are we?

God has called us all to examine our heart motives. It's a choice! When we have a pure heart we will walk in freedom, health and wholeness in your life, and in Him. I am!

What causes us to walk in the peace of God?
Simply check our heart.