THE HAUNTED HEART
The heart is a maze that only God can solve (Jeremiah 17:9-10). It is deceitful above all things. This is where sin hides. See Ecclesiastes 9:3; Matthew 15:19, Luke 6:45. The heart is a fountain of sin and a treasure chest for evil.
WHAT IS THE HEART?
The Bible describes heart behaviors in different ways:
- It believes (Romans 10:10)
- It is enlightened (Ephesians 1:18)
- It decides (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- It acts (Ephesians 6:6)
- It feels (2 Corinthians 2:4)
- It thinks and intends (Hebrews 4:12).
In summary it is our thoughts, plans, judgments and discernments (the mind). It is our choices and actions (the will). It is our longings, desires, revulsions, imagination, inclinations and feelings (the affections). It is our sense of right and wrong, which approves or condemns our mind, will and affections (the conscience).
Believers have a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), the mind of Christ (Romans 7:25, 8:26), and new desires for the things of God (Romans 7:18, 2 Corinthians 5:2). But God's work in this new heart isn't finished (1 John 3:2). One day will see clearer (1 Corinthians 13:9, 12). Our desires can still be entangled and unable to fully obey God (Galatians 2:11-13, Galatians 5:17).
ADVANTAGE, FLESH
Sing lurks where we can't find it. When we think we have licked it, it rises us again. It's like trick birthday candles.
NO SURRENDER
David lives a life of surrender to God, seeing mercy after mercy upon his life. Then sin snuck up on him and stabbed him in the back. If we cut the flesh any slack, it will regroup and revive. We might even end up worse than before (Luke 11:24-26). God warns us about sin throughout His word (Matthew 16:6, Matthew 26:41, Luke 12:15, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Hebrews 12:1-4, 2 Peter 3:17)
ADVANTAGE, BELIEVER
The Holy Spirit takes the horror out of the horror show. He knows our hearts and can search them, revealing to us our hidden faults (Psalm 139:23-24).
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