“Search me, O God, and know my heart” – Psalm 139:23a (NKJV)
The spiritual heart needs a change from sin focus to God focus. The heart controls the soul (mind, will, and emotions). As a result, our expressions of love, hate, desires, thoughts, and responses are all controlled by the heart. This fact shows us that as we navigate life on a daily basis our spiritual heart is engaged. Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” This question point to the fact that only God can. Thus, we are admonished in Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) to, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This ‘guard’ connotes that there is a need to protect the heart, not in our strength, but with the help of the Holy Spirit. We must examine what we allow to enter the door of our hearts. If we do not seek the Spirit of discernment we will not be intentional to examine and evaluate what enters. The result will be expressed in our lives, positively or negatively. Psalm 119:9 (NKJV) says, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.” There’s no need to second guess. The question was asked and the answer is clear.
The word ‘cleanse’ is synonymous with filter. Therefore we can use the Word of God as a filter for every issue that faces us in this life. Psalm 18:30 (NKJV) says, “As for God, His way is perfect. The Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
Issues that affect us on a daily basis can surface in our health, family, workplace, relationships, finances, and mental. The Lord, through His Word, is the ‘guard’ and protector of our hearts. The creation of a clean heart speaks to a ‘making over’ – a task to be performed by the Potter, Who has to take the heart and mould it. This process speaks to new beginnings. Let the Potter have His way!
Pray
God, thank You for the privilege of serving You as Lord and Saviour. Thank You for Your Word that is perfect and proven. Your Word is lamp, light, shield, pure, and righteous. Help me to take heed to the warning signals as they flash. Help me to obey Your Commandments and love You with all my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Psalm 42:1-2; Luke 6:45
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 23:19-28; Ephesians 4:1-16; Isaiah 60; Isaiah 61; Isaiah 62
