Luke 6:45(NLT)
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
The other day, while picking up a cup of tea from my local bakery, I witnessed the loveliest couple. They walked in holding hands, and after the gentleman held the door open for the lady, he kissed her hand as they made their way to the counter. What struck me the most was the tenderness in the way he spoke to her. He called her “dear” every few seconds, “Take as long as you need, no rush, dear,” he said as she apologized for taking too long to decide. They couldn’t have been more than thirty, but their gestures toward one another were filled with kindness, respect, and gentleness. It was a simple moment, but it spoke volumes about the love they shared, one that was clearly rooted in goodness—what was in their hearts came out in their words and actions.
Of course, I didn’t know if they loved the Lord or not, but their gentleness stood out to me. As I walked back to my car, I couldn’t help but think, if more of God’s people displayed that kind of love and respect toward one another in relationships, imagine the impact it would have. The passage in Luke is a reminder that what’s in our hearts can’t remain hidden; it will eventually come out. Whether good, bad, or indifferent, what we store up within us will inevitably be reflected in our words and actions for all to see. As Jesus Christ reminds us in Matthew 12:34 (NLT), “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
Love should never begin outside of yourself, because true love originates on the inside. For the Christian believer, this journey of love begins the moment you accept Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him Lord of your life. As 1 John 4:19 (NLT) says, “We love each other because he loved us first.” When we receive Christ’s love, it transforms us from the inside out. This love is not based on external circumstances or what others do for us; it is grounded in the deep, unchanging love that our Heavenly Father has shown us through Jesus Christ.
As 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) beautifully describes, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” This is the type of love God calls us to embrace—not only toward others but also toward ourselves.
We don’t often think of it this way, but it’s truly a blessing to be able to recognize what’s good and understand that this is exactly what God desires for us all. In a world filled with distractions, lies, and manipulation, having the ability to discern what is good—what aligns with God’s Will—is a gift from Him. James 1:17 (NLT) reminds us, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” God’s goodness is unchanging, and He desires for us to experience and walk in that goodness, both in how we see ourselves and how we relate to other people.
Luke 6:45 reminds us that the words we speak point to what is in our hearts. The heart tells us the story about what you believe. If you’re hoping to attract a good man who treats you well, then you must make sure you are filling your heart with the goodness of the Lord. What’s inside you will inevitably be reflected outwardly in your actions and words. The bottom line is that the kind of love you give will be the kind of love you attract.
We can all relate to the desire to be loved by someone who understands our worth, but here’s the truth: true love doesn’t begin with someone else; it starts on the inside. It’s not about waiting for another person to shape and mold the love you want to receive. God has already equipped you with His love, and it’s your responsibility to embrace and walk in it. As 1 John 4:19 (NLT) says, “We love each other because he loved us first.” When we make it our mission to love in the way that Christ loves us, we’ll begin spot God’s goodness all over the place. Most importantly, we’ll recognize it in ourselves and be prepared to love and share in the way He desires. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Recognizing What’s Good”, written by Kim Times, edited by Rev. Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.