An Honest Heart
by Sterling D. Allan
2 January 1997
One of the most subtle and powerful bondages that we get into is when we think
what we are doing is what God wants us to do, and that to think or act otherwise
might offend God and cause us to dwindle in his sight -- to lose the seat we
have so earnestly sought. Are we not told that those who look back once they
have set their hand to the plow are not fit for the kingdom of God? So what does
one do when he becomes wary about the plow to which he has set his hand? Where
are the provisions for a course correction? How many atrocities in history have
been done in the name of religion based on this sort of fervor rooted in a zeal
to follow God?
I cannot believe that compulsive zealotry originates with God. His holy order
calls for us to be humble, submissive, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of
patience and long-suffering, temperate in all things. (Alma 7 23.) Somehow these
tender attributes (though they are based in steadfastness in Christ) do not seem
compatible with a stern adherence to a particular path one claims to be of God.
Too often such zealousness, though attributed to adherence to God, is anything
but submissive, can be very far from gentle, cannot be entreated, is filled with
impatience, and certainly is not temperate. The irony then, it would seem, is
that true steadfastness in Christ is very soft.
It seems to me that honesty of heart, a companion of humility, is the necessary
and sufficient check on overzealousness.
An honest heart is submissive, for it allows for truth to penetrate and work its
healing art, transforming false perceptions into true vision.
The honest heart is gentle, for it aches in being otherwise.
An honest heart is easy to entreat, for being in a mode of constant
supplication, it hearkens to entreaty intuitively.
The honest heart resonates with patience, for it trusts God’s judgment in
timing growth and chastisement, based on agency and eternal laws.
An honest heart is long-suffering, for it does not allow unrealistic
expectations to cloud the necessity of allowing things to unfold in their proper
time and sequence.
The honest heart is temperate, glorying in what is proper and wise while
recognizing the joy of variety and the limitations of ability.
The honest heart is, therefore, a changed heart, one which has been touched by
the power and love of God, transformed from its carnal nature.
With these attributes in place, then, as a foundation, the honest heart strives
to obey God’s commands, for it knows the voice of God and rejoices in His
bidding. The honest heart seeks unto God for whatsoever thing it stands in need,
both spiritually and temporally, for it knows that God knows best, and it
remembers the folly experienced when it sought elsewhere for guidance while in
its carnal state.
The honest heart always returns thanks unto God for whatsoever thing it
receives, whether for joy or for toil of growth, for it recognizes the Source of
all that is good, it knows that God can turn all things for the good of those
who love Him and who worship Him continually.
The honest heart has faith in Christ; hope, because of this foundation; and is
filled with charity, for it is characterized by charity.
Therefore, the honest heart will always abound in good works, for God
works through the honest in heart and the works of God are always good.
May God grant that I may have an honest heart.
Feedback
"Perhaps the finest essay to come from the pen of
your heart. Thank you!" -- David Skousen (Dec. 10, 2004)
Postscript
By Sterling D. Allan, Dec. 15, 2004
It seems ironic to me now, as I re-read the piece above, that I commence with a
commentary about how it is problematic to zealously pursue a course only because
one has come to believe it is what God wants him to do, and then at the end of
the piece I say that an honest heart will trust in God to guide him
aright. The crux, not clear in this piece, though alluded to, is that the
conscience, or soul contact, needs to be the final check as to what one is to be
doing -- not necessarily some outwardly written, codified set of writings
ascribed to God by their adherents, whether the Bible or the Q'uran or some
other religious tome. Those writings are mostly inspired, so most of the
time, one's path will be in step with those writings, but ultimately, the honest
heart is willing to admit when what they are seeing written on a page, or what
is being conveyed to them directly by a religious or other authority, is
contrary to what their conscience is telling them. Ultimately, our
conscience is our lifeline to God -- God's voice within, God within. It is
the door to the holy of holies of our heart. That is what we should
trust. That is to what we should be true. That is obedience to
God. That is where the honest heart bears fruit.
See also
