As we read our Bibles and study to show ourselves approved by God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth, we find that the subject of the heart of man comes to our attention over and over again.
1 Peter 3:4 Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart… a humble and quiet spirit. The spirit of a person is a hidden person. Hidden from the five natural senses, but not hidden from God. God sees the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7 For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
The Scriptures teach us that we are a spiritual being. We are a spirit and that we have a soul and we live in a body. The body is called a vessel, or a tabernacle (a tent) or a building that will one day wear out and go back to the dust of the earth. But the real you, your spirit man or heart or hidden person of the heart will live on forever with the Lord, if Jesus is your personal Lord and Saviour.
Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!
As we open our lives to the Lord Jesus and submit ourselves completely into His hands to save us from our sins, He comes into our hearts by His Spirit and we are born again. Our spirit, the hidden person of the heart is made new. From then on, God wants us to live out of this new hidden person of the heart, for Him.
Here are a few thoughts from the Scriptures about the heart or spirit of man.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life.
We are responsible for our own hearts before God. The condition of your heart is very, very important to God. We see this truth all the way through the Bible.
Hebrews 3:15 Today, if you hear His Voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.
We can harden our hearts against the Lord’s Voice and miss out and end up in deep trouble from Him. We all have the choice to soften our hearts and yield to Him, trusting Him with all our hearts.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
The Word of God is a Divine seed that the Holy Spirit brings to us. His plan is that this Divine seed is planted in our hearts and produces tremendous fruit for God. The devil fights this Divine process and does all he can to uproot that seed, causing us to loose what the Lord is wanting to plant in our lives. Be aware of the battle for our minds and hearts.
Mathew 13:19 When anyone hears the Word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
The Word of God planted in our hearts will take root if we continue to trust Him and believe Him.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We believe with our hearts first, then we confess with our mouths what we believe, and miracles follow the believing Christian. Not all Christians are walking in this realm with God. Many are doubters and are not guarding their hearts with all diligent. Jesus spoke strongly to His disciples after His resurrection when they doubted in their hearts. They should have been trusting Him with all their hearts and leaning not on their own understanding.
Luke 24:38 And Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts rise in your hearts?”
The Lord Jesus expects us to be open to Him and deal with our doubts and fears and every negative thing from the enemy. If we don’t, then these things from the enemy will take root and grow and we will find ourselves in a terrible spiritual state. We cannot afford to be negligent of our hearts. Monitor yourself and ask God to search your heart and show you if you are being slack and allowing the enemy to rob you in any way.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me (test and examine me) and see if there is any wicked – offensive – hurtful way in me.
We need to have a soft, open, honest and sincere heart with our loving Father.
Hebrews 10:22 (Amplified Bible) Let us draw near with a true, honest and sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our conscience sprinkled from a guilty conscience.
Acts 15:9 God made no distinction between us and them (Jew and Gentile), purifying our hearts by faith (in Jesus).
Mathew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
As God highlights attitudes in our hearts we need to be honest and deal with these things sincerely. Repentance is such a wonderful gift from God. We can admit things to ourselves and to the Lord and then repent, and start fresh every single day of our lives. How amazing it is, that we can have a pure heart through our Lord Jesus and see God.
LOVE is of the heart. Rom 5:5 The love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
PEACE is of the heart. Col 3:15 Let the peace of God rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts.
JOY is of the heart. Jer 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them (digested them) and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.
FAITH is of the heart. Rom 10:10 It is with the heart that one believes unto righteousness.
Is it any wonder that the enemy would try and get us to neglect our own hearts? There are many, many benefits to the person who guards their heart with all diligence.
FORGIVENESS must be from the heart if it is to be genuine. Mathew 18:35.
Mathew 22:37 Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart.
Keep a soft, believing, sincere, pure heart before God and watch your spiritual life accelerate forward into the richness that is ours in Christ.
Enjoy ever deepening walk with Jesus. You are so special and precious to Him.
Pastor Barry.