The Condition of Your Heart
The condition of our hearts is being examined on a continual basis. Jesus has a direct connection to each and every one of our spiritual hearts. There are many scriptures about the condition of our heart. The amount of scriptures that focus on this lets us know that this is important to Jesus.
What is the spiritual heart?
Your spiritual heart is made up of who you are in the spirit and where you are in the spirit. Someone who does not have a good spiritual heart is someone who is bitter, jealous and/or unforgiving. Chances are this person has a difficult time seeking the Lord in daily prayer and reading of His word. Someone who is right with the Lord is able to show Him that he is serious about Him by keeping His commandments of love and by spending time with God daily.
A good example to illustrate the concept of “condition of the heart” is illustrated in the book of Genesis where it recounts the lives of Cain and Able. Cain gave an offering to the Lord. Scripture does not say why the Lord rejected Cain’s offering but the Bible suggests that it was a rather public rejection. Cain was asked by God why he was angry. The Lord explained something that is very important. If you do well then you’ll be accepted and if not sin waits at the door. Here it is apparent that while the rejection of Cain’s offering was public, God saw what others could not see. God saw the condition of Cain’s heart in his giving. This is later confirmed in his actions when he kills Able. Not only did he kill Able but he lied to God about killing Able. (Genesis 4:1-16)
We must understand that Jesus knows it all. He knows the ugly things about us that we don’t want anyone else to know. While you may be able to plead your case to the people around you, you cannot hide anything from the Lord.
“Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
“I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.”
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. ”
“ ...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
When we come to Christ he tells us that he is going to deliver us from having a bad spiritual heart. Someone asked me the other day if we are not supposed to judge others as Christians how are we to test people in the spirit? This is all about discernment and being able to know the condition of their heart. Of course, we can never be 100% sure unless the Lord reveals it to us directly. Understand that by the actions and ways of people around us we are able to know the condition of their heart in how they treat others and how they live for God
Whenever someone allows themselves to say things that are not holy and righteous they are unfortunately speaking from their hearts. If you have the Holy Ghost and understand the things of God you would do your best to watch the words you say.
When you make yourself transparent before the Lord, He will reveal Himself to you. The only way to do this is to worship Him in private and just talk to Him. Seek His face. Praise Him and Worship Him and repent asking for nothing but forgiveness and more of Him.
There are so many Christians that put off their relationship with Christ knowing that they ought to pray without ceasing. Some Christians only make 5 minutes for the Lord - if that.
We must follow the Lord and allow Him to transform us from the inside out so that we can be a blessing to everyone around us.
Psalms 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Proverbs 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Psalms 34:18 - The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Ezekiel 11:19 - And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Luke 12:33-34 - Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
Proverbs 21:2 - Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Matthew 15:18-20 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
James 4:8 - Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
1 Samuel 16:7 - But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Timothy 1:5 - Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:
