The heart is the core of our being. It is the source of our emotions and desires.
“The heart is ‘the seat of reason and the will. The heart is the source or spring, of motives; the seat of passions; the center of the thought processes; the spring of the conscience.” – Steve Farrar
Since we live in a fallen world, a man’s heart is by default wicked. Our sinful nature has tainted it.
Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Mark 7:21-23, goes on to say, “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
As seen from the scriptures above, we are born with a heart that is deceitful, diseased, sinful, naturally self-exalting, and opposing God.
What flows into the heart and is allowed to take root there, will always affect it and eventually influence your words, thoughts, and actions.
Luke 6:45 “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Proverbs 27:19; As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
God never promised us smooth sailing on this earth. There will always be times of trials and tribulations. However, what matters most is how we react in such situations.
In Luke 12:24-26 the word of God tells us that worry adds nothing to us; “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
If you allow your heart to be burdened by the issues of life, it will not only cause stress, anxiety, and depression, but will affect your spirit too, and also result in sickness.
Proverbs 17:22; A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
It’s understandable that life sometimes throws us curveballs; broken relationships, loss of a loved one, financial issues, etc. These situations sometimes lead us to moments and seasons of self destruction. We lose hope and drive for anything, tend to avoid people, angry all the time and easily agitated. Oppression leads to depression and depression leads to destruction. In this condition, people tend to descend into drunkenness and other harmful addictions, suicidal tendencies, etc.
Proverbs 13:12; “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”
This is a dangerous condition to find yourself in. One of the main reasons for this is as a result of trying to fight your own battles. We tend to fear man and have a fear of the unknown, our situations, (life conditions and anticipated outcomes, etc), more than God who is able to deliver us from any and all situations.
We tend to trust more in our efforts rather than placing our trust, hope, and faith in the all-knowing, all-powerful God. It doesn’t matter how far gone you are, He is able to deliver you.
This is why God instructs us to diligently guard our heart against all that can corrupt it. The heart is the core of our being, and the Word of God sets high importance on keeping our hearts pure.
Proverbs 4:23, “Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flows the springs of life.”
John 14:1, “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.”
This is a challenging situation in the modern world, considering all the unfiltered filth we often allow into our minds.
So how do we guard our hearts?
1. Putting our faith in the Lord is the very first step. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive His Spirit. Transformation then begins within us.
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].”
The Word of God goes on to instruct us not to conform to the things of this world.
Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
When we focus on the ways of God and His values, our mind is progressively renewed. We also become increasingly aware of God’s purpose for us.
2. Meditating on the Word of God is another sure way to bring transformation within us.
The Bible says that the Word is God. It is Jesus Himself. (John 1:1-3, 14). As we meditate on it, the power therein changes us and gives us direction.
The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). It is a sure foundation which we can build our lives upon. (2 Timothy 3:16).
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
3. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7). What we think about matters greatly to our well-being.
2 Corinthians 10, “[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ.”
The passage above shows us that we have the power to bring our thoughts captive into obeying Christ. This way we do not allow negative thoughts to take root in us.
Let’s say vile and evil thoughts start taking shape in your mind. Boldly say; “I bring all my thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ.” This declaration will quickly silence these evil thoughts. I have done this a few times and it always works.
Additionally, we can train our minds to think and dwell on good things.
Paul says in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”
Here again, you see the importance of what you let your mind dwell on because it’s what will flow into your heart. So set your mind on what is good, honorable, and wise. It will have quite an influence on the type of person you become.
4. Prayer is quite a powerful way to bring anything burdening your heart before God.
The Word of God commands us not to be anxious or worried about anything, but instead approach situations with prayer. If we do so, God promises us His peace which will guard our hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
We all have past traumas and soul wounds that have burdened our hearts at some point.
These scars, if not dealt with can follow us into our relationships, workplace, and even parenthood. They can manifest as different emotional, physical, and behavioral responses. E.g., increased levels of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, irritability, emotional numbness, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
Good news, all these issues can be brought before God in prayer. He can unburden you of all the weight you’ve been carrying.
Psalm 107:13-16, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the steadfast love of the Lord for his wondrous works to the son of man! For he shatters the bronze doors and cuts the iron bars in two.”
Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
As a child of God, you can confidently approach His throne at any time. Mercy and grace await you.
Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”
The all-powerful God can also create a new heart in you. This is His promise to His children.
Ezekiel 36:26-27, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My ordinances and do them.”
Last but not least, the Lord warns us not to let our hearts be overtaken by the burdens and cares of this world, lest judgment day comes upon us unexpectedly. (Luke 21:32-35). Instead, seek and pursue the Kingdom of God and His ways.
Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.”
In conclusion, as we’ve learned above, our heart determines how healthy we are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Let us therefore take heed to ensure it is free of the burdens of this world. Placing your faith, hope, and trust in God. With God’s help let us cultivate hearts that are pure in His sight.
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.”
Key Takeaways
- Your heart condition determines your overall well-being
- Be careful not to trouble your heart with the issues of life
- God is able to transform your heart and mind.