What’s The State of Your Heart? (2) By Babatunde Olugboji
This week, we’ll continue our discussions on the heart, not the critical human organ, but that very important concept in the scripture.
The Bible mentions the heart over a thousand times, a pointer to its importance in our spiritual life. It is that spiritual part of us where our emotions and desires dwell. And a good heart is absolutely crucial for connecting with God at several levels.
God’s work of creating a new heart within us involves testing our hearts (Psalm 17:3; Deuteronomy 8:2) and filling our hearts with new ideas, new wisdom, and new desires that match up with his expectations (Nehemiah 7:5; 1 Kings 10:24; 2 Corinthians 8:16).
The heart is the core of our being, and the Bible stresses the importance of keeping it pure: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). When King Solomon, who wrote the book of Proverbs refers to the need to guard our heart, he was talking about the inner core of a person -the thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices that make that person who he or she is.
The Bible explains that our thoughts often dictate who we become (Proverbs 23:7; 27:19). The mind of a person reflects who he or she really is, not simply his or her actions or words. That is why God examines the heart of a person, not simply the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
Avoiding anger, pride, and temptation are critical essentials of guarding the heart. Paul’s missive is instructive in this regard: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) Dwelling on these things will help build a fence around our hearts.
This week, can you reflect on the state of your heart and say the following prayers and meditate on accompanying Bible verses?
- Father in heaven, I am aware that there are issues with my heart, but I am determined, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to acquire a new heart (Jeremiah 17:9). Give me a heart to love you, a heart to love my neighbor, a heart to love myself as my neighbor, and to love my family members.
- God created a new heart in me, I am determined to exchange my heart of stone for the heart of flesh (Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26).
- I come before you with humility; you are the God who can revive the heart of the contrite ones, revive my heart o Lord and make me into who you want me to be.
- Father in heaven, your work of creating a new heart within believers involves testing our hearts (Psalm 17:3; Deuteronomy the 8:2), test my heart today, show me areas where I need to make changes, and help me make those changes.
- Lord, fill my heart with new ideas, new wisdom, and new desires. (Nehemiah 7:5; 1 Kings 10:24; 2 Corinthians 8)
And the Lord will answer our prayers this week in the name of Jesus.
Have a great week.
Kingdom Dynamics, a weekly column written by Dr. Babatunde Olugboji, the President, Kingdom House, a non-profit organization in New Jersey, USA.
Join Babatunde Olugboji live on Facebook & Youtube every Sunday at 7am (EST) for an insightful time of The Word.
+1-732-554-1376 (WhatsApp)
@KingdomChat
https://www.facebook.com/KingdomEdifice
