Discern and Take Action

Only when you know how to see yourself can you see others in the same way. When you know how to see others, you can also see yourself by using them as mirrors. When you know goodness and unrighteousness, you will detest unrighteousness, eliminate wickedness, and take action in goodness. Although some things can be formed through theory alone, in most cases you are developed only through action. You must make yourself into a good person in God’s view by cutting out unrighteousness from your heart with determination strong enough to scrape your bones, while actively practicing righteousness.

Invest in Development

Even if a tree is ugly and unimpressive at first, it can become incredibly beautiful if it is fertilized, shaped, pruned, and guided as it grows. The same is true of people. Even if someone seems unremarkable at first, when they are nurtured, supported, taught to develop themselves, and helped to gain wisdom, they can change completely. The form and shape of their heart becomes beautiful. Some people appear elegant and impressive outwardly, yet inwardly are filled with deceit, cunning, selfish greed, envy, jealousy, and hatred. God does not look at outward appearance but at the heart. Therefore, in areas such as health, habits, prayer life, the Word, mission work, oversight, and other responsibilities, you must manage yourself faithfully and attentively.

True Management Is to Make It Shine More and Improve It

Management is not merely maintaining things as they are. True management makes things shine more and become better. Managing a pine tree is not only protecting it from disease, but also pruning its branches, fertilizing it to help it grow stronger, and preventing it from falling or breaking under heavy snow. This is true management. You must manage things as carefully as you manage your own body. Only then is it genuine management. Both creation and people turn out according to how they are formed and managed.

Take Care of Your Health Too

Your health improves in proportion to how well you manage it. A person who neglects their health may not notice abnormalities even when something is wrong, and their life gradually tilts toward death. A sensitive person notices changes immediately through their body. However, if they ignore those signals for too long, they become numb and can no longer feel them. When this happens, health deteriorates rapidly. You must manage your health daily through what you eat and through simple methods that do not require spending money.

Examples of managing your health:

• Exercise regularly as a way to maintain health without cost.

• Care for your stomach and colon by eating mainly vegetables.

• Avoid eating excessive sweets.

• Eating too much cold or spicy food can exceed what your body can handle and lead to illness.

• When your body becomes misaligned, such as your legs, it must be corrected.

• By avoiding harmful habits, you can build a healthy constitution without spending money.

Develop a Strong Heart

A person’s destiny changes according to how firmly they set their heart and whether they think deeply with all their heart.

“Your destiny will change” means:

• You will do what you should do and avoid what you should not do, receiving blessing instead of misfortune.

• You will escape death and come to life.

• What would have resulted in one outcome will result in a different one.

Your destiny follows the direction of your heart. When your heart is firm, your body follows it. A person with a strong heart is unshakable. A strong heart is like a car with powerful horsepower. When you become one with God, the Holy Spirit, and the Lord, your heart becomes complete and strong.

Metal with low hardness becomes stronger when it is heated and then cooled through tempering. Without this process, it remains weak. In the same way, God strengthens people through tribulation, suffering, and circumstances so they become suitable for use. How a person turns out depends on how they are shaped by environment and action. Therefore, you must diligently develop yourself through the Word. Only then can you overcome a treacherous world and live while fulfilling God’s Will.

Manage With the Word

Jesus lived a life of continual management. He constantly taught and managed people through the Word. He personally visited homes to guide and care for individuals, as seen in Luke 10:38–39 during His visit with Mary.

Jesus managed both individuals and crowds. He taught them, urged them to act, and warned them to discern and avoid false people. This is clearly shown throughout the New Testament. Jesus’ daily life consisted of continual evangelism and the careful management of His disciples. Everyone must live and act as Jesus did.