“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov 4:20-23).
Everything springs forth from our hearts, if we store up good things in our hearts, our words and actions will be good and vice versa.
“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks“(Matthew 12:24), so be careful what you are hearing, because what you believe and how you shape your opinions is shaped by the things we hear. The bible teaches that our faith (trust, belief) comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17)
Our heart is our receptor; we receive and are able to give according to the condition of our hearts. When our heart condition is soft, repentant and willing before God, the Holy Spirit speaks and we can follow. He wants to use us to bless and reach the world with His love and freedom. But the condition of our heart determines how much we receive.
Hardness of heart or a cluttered heart, can cause us to miss the things of God, and what He is doing. We can have ability and talent, but if our heart is not soft and uncluttered then we can have trouble receiving and miss God given opportunities because we are not receptive. As we go through life we can become cynical and judgmental and harden our hearts which leads to unbelief and a rejection of what God may be trying to reveal to us.
David in the bible was called a man after God’s own heart. He was the least amongst his brothers, yet God chose him as King. His heart was soft towards God and others, and even though man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart. David later in life committed adultery, and was responsible for a man being killed, yet because he had a repentant heart and teachable attitude he was able to move past his failings.
What sort of heart do you have? A soft repentant heart or a hard cynical judgmental one?
Take some time to examine the condition of your heart and ask God to reveal to you any “rocks” that need to be removed so that you have a heart that is soft towards God and others. Then you will be ready to receive all He has for you and freely be able to give to others.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” (Psalm 139:23)
Prayer: Lord reveal to me the condition of my heart and forgive me where I have allowed my heart to become hardened.
Comments