The Heart of the Matter
Is God at work in your life restoring your heart? Come talk to a mentor.
“Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.” (Proverbs 28:14)
Did you know that the month of February is “American Heart Month”? Cardiovascular disease claims the lives of nearly 500,000 American women a year. In an effort to raise awareness, the American Heart Association created a campaign to dismiss myths pertaining to heart disease. Prior, many believed heart disease was an “old man’s” disease. However, it is actually a number one killer amongst women. Unfortunately, even with all this awareness, many women remain in the dark regarding vital facts pertaining to heart disease.
Likewise, our spiritual hearts are in need of assessment and attention as well. In Jeremiah 17: 9-10 we read, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure…I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” It is crucial that we seek God on a regular basis regarding the condition of our hearts. It is unwise for us to lean on our own assessment. We must rely upon His Holy Spirit to probe, guide, and lead us into truth, knowledge, and revelation, which then will reveal the true condition of our hearts.
Several characteristics of an unregenerate heart is evil (Genesis 6:5) rebellious (Jeremiah 5:23), perverse (Proverbs 11:20), wicked (Proverbs 6:18), callous (Psalm 119:70), hard (Ephesians 4:18), dark (Romans 1:21), unrepentant (Romans 2:5), and far from God (Mark 7:6).
A regenerate heart is one that: cries out to God (Psalm 84:2), seeks God (Psalm 119:2, 10), loves the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:5, Mathew 22:37), praises the Lord (Psalm 9:1), rejoices in salvation (Psalm 13:5), is grateful to God (Colossians 3:16), obeys God’s law (Psalm 119:34), is pure (Mathew 5:8), is sincere (Hebrews 10:22), loves others (1 Peter 1:22).
Thankfully, God, our Great Physician, knows the condition of our hearts and offers a great exchange. In Ezekiel 11:19 we read, “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” Through conviction, repentance, and correction our hearts become pleasing to God. As we seek to maintain a pure heart, live in obedience and uprightness, then we reap a healthier life in Christ, which brings honor and glory to God.
Heavenly Father, I pray that you would search my heart. I do not desire a stubborn unreceptive heart. Holy Spirit, guide me into truth so I can dispel any falsehood. In Jesus name, Amen
Question: When was the last time you went to God for a heart checkup?