This is Part 2 of “The issues of the heart are issues of life or death”. To see the 1st Part:
The theme of Part 2 is from: Ephesians 3:16 …, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…
When we come to Christ we carry with us everything of the world in which we were born and raised. We were born carnal and in sin. We need internal transformation; by making “room” in our heart, Christ may fill all the “space”.
Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every intent of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually [everyone in his heart was intently brooding over evil continually].
Out of the heart proceed the things of the sinful carnal nature, which defile a man from within – that is the default process in which we were born because of the corrupt state of our heart. We have been conditioned through the process of upbringing and socialization to hide the truth of our heart, by putting on a façade that covers the truth that is within us. We need to examine our heart so that we may know the truth of what is within us.
Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing [“apostasy”] from the living God;
From experience we have come to know that there are 3 kinds of heart:
– a pure heart that needs cleansing, transformation and sanctification,
– a wounded (traumatized) heart that needs healing and restoration,
– an evil heart that is corrupt, it may be full of religion but without any deep contrition and without any genuine repentance.
An evil heart that is full of religion cannot recognize God’s Voice; it can only accept or reject doctrines and teachings about right and wrong, rules and regulations, the do’s and don’t’s that dead religion imposes.
Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted [“shabar” – shattered to pieces], To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to [those who are] bound;
2 Timothy 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you [is] holy, you also be holy in all [your] conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Signs & indications of a pure heart versus
manifestations of a defiled heart that needs healing
Love and compassion
Unloving, dominating, demanding
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Kindness and mercy
Merciless strife, proud contention
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Respect and honor
No respect but disregard and dishonor
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Submission to authority
Rebellious, despising and resisting authority
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Obedience to the Anointing and the anointed leader,-s
Disobedience and disregard of the anointed leadership
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Self-less servant who follows anointed leadership
Proud, self-centered, does not listen, acts independently
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Accepts correction and is willing to learn and grow
Stubbornly refuses to receive correction, unwilling to learn and change
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The wisdom and revelation of God shown in words of edification
Lack of wisdom and foolish fables reveal absence of a sound mind
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God’s peace and meekness manifest through a countenance of joy
Restlessness, agitation and lack of joy take away the peace
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A humble spirit that reveals a contrite heart full of meekness
A fighting attitude that reveals an unbroken spirit
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Thankful heart full of gratitude and appreciation
Unthankful, no gratitude or appreciation, but a sense of entitlement
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No boasted self-worth but a sense of humility expressed in an attitude of repentance
Self-righteousness without remorse, regret or repentance