Biblically, the heart of man is the seat of God. Spiritually, it is from the heart that decisions are made, either from God or from Satan. Jesus said in Matthew 12: 34, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. He also said in Luke 6: 45, the good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. The heart is God’s dwelling place and must be kept holy.
1 Peter 1: 15-16 states, as he who has called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Rather, we grieve God with evil in our hearts. Genesis 6: 5-6 say, the LORD saw that the wickedness of humans was great in the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made humankind on the earth, and it grieved him in his heart. What is the purpose of the heart?
To build a relationship with God
It is from the heart that we build a relationship with God. Deuteronomy 4: 29 says from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find him if you search after him with all your heart and soul. A relationship with God demands a full heart rather than being partial. 1Chronicls 22: 19 says set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. God loathes partial hearts. A relationship with God must be built on trust rooted in the heart. The Lord said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16: 7… the LORD does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. We cannot hide the content of our hearts from God. He knows it all every moment.
God’s basis for evaluation
God evaluates our offerings based on our hearts. Exodus 35: 5 says… let whoever is of a generous heart bring the Lord’s offering. Offerings must be generous without compulsion. 2 Corinthians 9: 7 says each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. The quantum is not as important as the heart that gives. Jesus said of the widow’s mite in Mark 12: 41-44; Luke 21: 1-4… truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. The heart loudly tells our story to Jesus.
The seat of our faith
The heart shows the extent of our trust in God. Deuteronomy 4: 39 says, so acknowledge today and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. It is from the heart that we confess Christ Jesus as Lord, not only with our lips. Romans 10: 9 says if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Unfortunately, we have sold our hearts to the devil in disbelief in God. James 1: 6-7… for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Lip service is of no use or value to God without the heart.
The source of our love for God
From the heart comes our love for God. Deuteronomy 6: 5 says you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. It is in the heart that God stores his word therefore we are enjoined in 1 Kings 8: 58 incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, which he commanded our ancestors. In order to keep God’s word, Deuteronomy 11: 18 says you shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. In effect the word must be part of us to the glory of God.
It is God’s house of prayer
The heart is our prayer room with God. God said in Ezekiel 3: 10, mortals, all my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart and hear with your ears. We need new hearts in order to effectively communicate with God. Ezekiel 18: 31 says… get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. God communicates with us by the channel of the heart. Therefore Joel 2: 13 says rend your hearts and not your clothing. A heart of prayer becomes the receptacle of God’s blessings. David said in Psalms 4: 7 you have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. Peter advised in Acts 8: 22… pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
It is the measure of our purity
A hardened heart will be condemned in judgment. Leviticus 19: 11 says you shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbour, or you will incur guilt yourself. When we fill our hearts with hate or fail to show kindness, we shall be guilty of God’s judgment. Deuteronomy 10: 16 says circumcise then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer. A hardened heart resists the holiness of God. Our hearts coupled with God’s grace through Christ Jesus will determine our eternity. Psalms 44: 21 says… for he (God) knows the secrets of the heart. Paul wrote in Romans 8: 27 and God, who searches the heart, knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Will the Spirit intercede for us based on our purity?
How to keep our hearts for Jesus
Our hearts should not be the seat of evil any longer. It must be guided by heavenly wisdom in holiness so we can do what is right in God’s sight. David said in Psalms 51: 6 you (God) desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. May our prayer to God be Psalms 19: 14, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Let the Holy Spirit heal our hearts with righteousness by his divine grace in Christ Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we possess hearts of sin and evil. We have defiled your purpose most often in our hearts. Cleanse us by your Holy Spirit through your blood as we invite you into our hearts as our Lord and Saviour. Revive our hearts to be at peace in you. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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