My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT
SPIRITUALLY OUR HEARTS REVEAL THE HEALTH OF OUR LIVES.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT
The lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
FOUR BLOCKAGES OF THE HEART
1. SELFISHNESS
Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23 NLT
BLOCKAGE CAN OCCUR WHEN WE WANT TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OURSELVES RATHER THAN WHAT IS BEST FOR GOD!
He (JESUS) chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:25 NLT
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:14-16 NIV
2. BITTERNESS
It is impossible that no offenses should come… Luke 17:1 NKJV
A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19 NIV
3. REJECTION
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Proverbs 18:21 NLT
4. EVIL THOUGHTS
For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:21-23 NLT
THE HEART GOD DESIRES FOR US
A Heart for HIM
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 NLT
As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.” 1 Corinthians 14:25 NLT
A Heart for others
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:8-9 NLT
- It is easy to justify not loving others
- God’s love is for everyone
- God’s love is made visible through action
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 NLT
Love is not love unless it is felt and seen
ACTION STEPS
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. Ezekiel 36:26-27 NLT
- INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SHOW ME
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23-24 NLT
- INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO CHANGE ME
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 NLT
- INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO FILL ME
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18