In our lost state, our spiritual hearts are like stone. We need a spiritual heart transplant. Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
The Bible has a lot to say about the condition of our heart as indicator of the health of our spiritual life. Once we become Christians, even though we are given a new heart, it is important to keep it healthy. Proverbs 4:23 “Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the issues of life.” We need to keep our spiritual arteries open so that the love of God can flow through us to others.
What are the indicators of a healthy spiritual heart?
A healthy heart is pure and undivided. It is whole heartedly devoted to following the God’s word. It is sensitive and responsive to the prompting of God’s Holy Spirit. It is quick to repent, Psalm 51:10 “Create in me pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” It is generous and willing to give to the needy. The Bible tells us that “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” Matt. 12:34. A healthy heart will produce gracious words that build up rather than destroy. A healthy heart is wise and filled with God’s Word. A healthy heart is quick to forgive and does not keep a grudge. It trusts God’s goodness and direction. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” A healthy heart is cheerful and full of praise and gratitude.
The best benefit of a healthy heart is a close intimate relationship with the Creator of all hearts.
Matt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”
Jer. 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
2 Chron. 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Imagine that, the eyes of the Lord are searching for people whose hearts are fully committed to him so that he can strengthen them . . . I want to be found, how about you?
Beverly Chesnut