Management of the Heart

"The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:1-3)

Dr. Choi Dong-seok, of the "Mind Program," defines management as follows: "Management involves first setting a vision, purpose, and direction, then organizing the necessary conditions to achieve them, and finally taking specific actions that align with those conditions" (Internet). He also says, "The most important foundation in this definition is the mental state of the manager or leader." In other words, he argues that management begins with a desired mental state, or mental structure, and by adjusting conditions to increase efficiency, management helps to foster desired patterns of behavior (Internet). This is an interesting perspective. I particularly resonate with the idea that desirable patterns of behavior come from a positive mental state in the manager. So, what is the desired mental state for Christian managers?

In the passage for today, Proverbs 16:1, King Solomon speaks about the "management of the heart." That is, he says that managing the heart belongs to us, humans. What does this mean? It means that we have many plans in our hearts (Proverbs 19:21). However, the fact we must keep in mind is that no matter how many plans we have in our hearts, "the purpose of the LORD will stand" (Proverbs 21:21). In other words, no matter how many plans we make in our hearts, only God's sovereign will will ultimately prevail. Therefore, King Solomon says in Proverbs 16:9: "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." Thus, we must manage our hearts with faith in this truth. In other words, Christian managers must trust God with all their heart (Proverbs 3:5). We must never rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). In all things, we must acknowledge God (Proverbs 3:6). Acknowledging God also means that Christian managers must accept the fact that the sovereign God even uses those who oppose and make our lives difficult to accomplish His sovereign will (Proverbs 16:4). Therefore, Christian managers must commit all their works to God (Proverbs 16:3). When we do so, God will bring about the success of our plans (Proverbs 16:3). In short, Christian managers who manage their hearts must have a heart of trust and faith in God. First, the desired mental state for Christian managers is trust.

Second, Christian managers must present the management of their hearts to God through prayer (Proverbs 16:1). In prayer, we should lay down our plans before God and pray that only His sovereign will be done. A Christian manager's desired mental state when praying for God's will to be done is humility. In other words, the Christian manager who manages their heart must have a humble heart. Moreover, Christian managers must act with humility. This is because God hates the proud (Proverbs 16:5). Therefore, humble Christian managers not only depend on God in prayer, but they also consult with many counselors (Proverbs 15:22). In other words, humble Christian managers not only pray to Jesus Christ, our true counselor, but also seek advice from the older generation in faith and ask for their guidance. Furthermore, humble Christian managers listen humbly to their advice and correction.

Third, the desired mental state for Christian managers is wisdom. In other words, Christian managers who manage their hearts must have a wise heart. A Christian manager with a wise heart looks at themselves from "God's perspective" (Proverbs 2:2), rather than their own or others' perspectives (Proverbs 25:25). A wise Christian manager knows that God is examining the hearts (Proverbs 16:2). Although their actions may seem clean in their own eyes (Proverbs 16:2), the wise Christian manager knows that their sin has been covered by God's mercy and truth (Proverbs 16:6). Therefore, the wise Christian manager, in reverence to God, turns away from evil (Proverbs 16:6). In other words, Christian managers, with a wise heart, act wisely and please God (Proverbs 16:7).

We, Christian managers who manage our hearts, must have a heart that completely trusts in the sovereign God, a humble heart, and a wise heart. This is the right state of heart for Christian managers. In this right state of heart, our Christian managers should have a right behavior pattern in their lives. In a word, this right behavior pattern is the life pattern of Jesus Christ, the true wise man who completely relied on God the Father, humbly obeyed the will of God the Father, and died on the cross. In other words, we, Christian managers, must have the heart of Jesus Christ and live a life that imitates the life pattern of Jesus Christ. I hope that you and I will have this right management of heart and right behavior.