"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."
— Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

The way we think reveals who we truly are on the inside and shapes who we become. Our future is deeply influenced by the thoughts we choose to dwell on. We become what we think. If you want to succeed in life, you need to be intentional about how you think. That means cultivating a positive mindset, because your mindset plays a crucial role in shaping your actions, your attitude, and the direction of your life.

The Heart Reveals Character

Our true character is formed not just by what we say or do outwardly, but by our deepest thoughts and intentions. As the saying goes, "The outside appearance is the index to the heart." What we show on the outside often reflects what's happening within—our behavior and outward expressions can give real insight into our values, emotions, and motivations. As the Bible says:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
— Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

The Source of Life

The heart is really the source of life. Everything we do flows out of it, even the small habits, passing thoughts, and reactions we barely notice. In a way, we become what we think. Jesus highlights this in Matthew 5:27-28, when He says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you, anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

You don't have to act on a desire to have already sinned; simply entertaining that thought is enough. This shows how powerful our thoughts are—they shape our future actions and character. That's why guarding your heart is so important. It means being intentional about what you let in and what you hold onto, because those things eventually shape how you think, how you speak, and how you live.

Caring for Our Inner Life

Just like we pay attention to our physical health by watching what we eat or how much we rest, we're called to care for our inner life with the same kind of diligence. The heart is more than just emotion. It's the center of our desires, convictions, and beliefs. From there, everything else takes shape—our relationships, our choices, and our sense of direction.

What Defiles Us

It is not external things that defile us, but the evil thoughts and intentions that come from within. Jesus teaches that a person is not defiled by what goes into their mouth but by what comes out, for "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." (Matthew 15:11). What we speak reveals the true condition of our hearts.

The Path Forward

We are where we are today because of the condition of our hearts. As we think in our hearts, so are we. We will not achieve anything greater in life if we don't nurture our thoughts with positivity. If we only focus on negative things, our lives will not change. Because we are what we think, positive thinking leads to a positive life.

Remember: Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. As you think in your heart, so you are.