Introduction
The real problem is the condition of the heart.Example: People freed from addiction were changed because God moved into their hearts, not just because they stopped the addiction.The problem with alcohol is not the alcohol, it’s the heart.If one’s heart is right, their direction changes.The message is for the heart, not just the mind or intellect.Being changed by the Holy Spirit is essential for being born again.There is no middle ground.Churches that focus on drawing crowds without the gospel fail to address the heart.Good music or preaching alone cannot fix the heart.Only a visit from God can fix the heart.The flesh is temporary, but the soul will live forever.Death will come, but it’s the saving of the soul that matters.David’s Heart
God acknowledged David’s heart to build a house for Him.God said it was good that it was in David’s heart.Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”Acts 13:22: God found David to be a man after His own heart, who would fulfill all His will.God knew David’s heart, which Samuel could not see.God rejected Saul and chose David, knowing David’s heart.God is not fooled by outward appearances or pretenses.God wants to transform the heart.God saw David as a man after his own heart, loving God even as a shepherd.David wanted to build God a house, even though he was living in a tent.God recognized David’s intention but did not allow him to build the house because he had shed too much blood.God allowed David’s son to build the house.David prepared materials for the temple, showing his heart for God.Importance of Knowing the Heart
Words
Words come from the heart (Matthew 12:34).“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.”Words can betray one’s true nature.A good person brings forth good things from the good treasure of their heart, and an evil person brings forth evil things from the evil treasure.Every idle word will be accounted for in the day of judgment.The heart is what drives what is said.Good and bad water cannot come from the same well.Actions
Actions are influenced by the heart.Matthew 5:28: Lusting after someone in the heart is equivalent to committing adultery.The heart directs actions.Matthew 15:19: Evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies proceed from the heart.The heart is the root of the problem.Zacchaeus’ transformation occurred when Jesus visited him, changing his heart.Zacchaeus got right with God and was changed in his heart forever.Words betray witness if the heart is not right.Giving should be done according to what one purposes in their heart (2 Corinthians 9:7).The will of God should be done from the heart (Ephesians 6:6).Cleaning up one’s act is impossible without Christ.God had to do something for the heart because humans cannot fix it themselves.Testimony
Testimony is affected by the heart (Matthew 6:21).“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”David left a testimony of his heart for God.A testimony should reflect a changed heart.Words and actions establish what is in the heart.A testimony statement can be left behind for others.Children, grandchildren, and neighbors should see Christ in one’s life.Relationship with God
Relationship with God is based on the heart.The love of Christ constrains (2 Corinthians 5).Conviction of the Holy Ghost breaks the heart.Salvation comes when the Holy Spirit convicts the heart.With the heart, man believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).The heart drives the relationship with God.If there is no relationship with Jesus Christ, there is a big heart problem.Salvation
Romans 10:8-10 explains how God transforms the heart.The word is near, in the heart.Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.With the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.The flesh is enmity against God and cannot be saved.God does something for the heart that cannot be undone.Examine your heart and be honest about its condition.Seek transformation by the power of God’s grace and spirit.
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