"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23, ESV).
Although I preached a sermon on this verse over a year ago, I think I am only beginning to grasp its significance. Each passing day, I find this verse's relevance growing more and more.
I am learning that there is never a moment when we can let our guard down. We can never take a vacation day where our heart is concerned. We must continually keep vigil over our heart. Given the opportunity the heart would mutiny, and sell us into slavery. We must keep watch.
If we allow our heart to turn to its own way, we poison our life. The heart is the wellspring of life. From out of the stores of the heart the mouth speaks. If we are not careful, our heart can be swept away by any number of enemies: lust, covetousness, hatred, complacency, apathy, rebellion, laziness, self-worship, addiction, etc.
The heart is susceptible to many attacks. We all have weakened defenses. We must all be on our guard. Are you vigilantly watching your heart to ensure that you remain loyal to the Lord? The only way we can succeed at guarding our hearts is to ask God to enable us to guard it and to keep us watchful. Friends, keep watch over your hearts.
Showing posts with label Hearts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hearts. Show all posts
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Is Your Heart Pure?
"Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin?'" (Prov. 20:9, ESV).
The common sense answer to this question is no one can say they have made their heart pure. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (see Rom. 3:23). When we check the shape of our heart against the law of the Lord, we see how far we fall short. If we deny the sin in our lives, we live in the greatest kind of delusion (see 1 John 1:8).
We need someone to make our hearts pure. We need someone to cleanse us from our sins. That someone is Jesus Christ our Lord. When we come to faith in Christ we find cleansing and forgiveness. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." First John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
How do we respond to the question? Is your heart pure? Are you clean from sin? If not, put your faith in Jesus Christ and he will cleanse you from your sin. He will also give you a heart to follow him.
The common sense answer to this question is no one can say they have made their heart pure. We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (see Rom. 3:23). When we check the shape of our heart against the law of the Lord, we see how far we fall short. If we deny the sin in our lives, we live in the greatest kind of delusion (see 1 John 1:8).
We need someone to make our hearts pure. We need someone to cleanse us from our sins. That someone is Jesus Christ our Lord. When we come to faith in Christ we find cleansing and forgiveness. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." First John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
How do we respond to the question? Is your heart pure? Are you clean from sin? If not, put your faith in Jesus Christ and he will cleanse you from your sin. He will also give you a heart to follow him.
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