The Heart (part 1)

In today's society the heart is often associated with those warm fuzzy feelings we get when we are around the person we like/love or really anything that has to do with our emotions and what we are feeling inside. However as Christians we need to remember what the biblical definition of the heart is. Here are a few verses that might help you understand more accurately the way God looks at the heart of man:

-Genesis 6:5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

-Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

-Psalm 55:21 His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.

-Psalm 73:7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity ; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.


-Psalm 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.

-Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

-Psalm 141:4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.


And the list could go on for a while...

Prior to our being purchased with the blood of Christ we were utterly depraved men and women. We were destined for eternal separation from our Creator and eternal punishment and torment. However in His goodness, love, and mercy He has rescued us. Until we receive our perfect bodies we will be faced with an internal struggle and battle within our hearts against the flesh and the Spirit. In our old nature we did whatever pleased ourselves yet now that we have been saved we are faced with a dilemma that goes on day after day...dying to ourselves and serving the Lord! It is only in His strength that we are capable of pleasing and glorifying Him and saying no to sin, and we must ask for that strength and ability daily.

In the high school ministry at my home church we often refer to our hearts as 'cesspools of wickedness'. I love this illustration! It is so true. Apart from Christ and His power we are evil and maligned and desire nothing of holiness or godliness, but as 2 Peter 1:3 reminds us,"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." What a reassuring promise for the believer. May the condition of our fleshly hearts humble us and may that sadness motivate us to examine ourselves daily and to pick up our cross daily and surrender our hearts to the Lord!