“How’s your heart?
You’ve probably seen the TV commercial with a spokesman asking this question to regular people “off the street.” Most people are not sure.
So, the ad then introduces KardiaMobile, a portable ECG device that connects to a smartphone and can deliver a medical-grade heart reading in about 30 seconds.
Last night, in our Wednesday night Bible class, we began a new study that is a check-up of the spiritual heart. Our teacher, Marvin, is using a book from Matt Hennecke, “A Heart Like Jesus: Learning to Be More Like God’s Son.”
These two key verses have set the tone of our study
“Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart…” (Ps. 26:2)
“Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it” (Prov 4:23)
As we close the old year and approach the new year, it’s often a time of personal introspection, evaluation, and decision-making. A good exercise would be to “get inside yourself” and do a heart check-up.
Matt offers a spiritual diagnostic check-up of both positive and adverse conditions. We can examine our hearts by reflecting on some Biblical descriptions. Matt says there are over 50. Here are a few
Positive Heart Conditions
- Contrite Heart (Ps. 51:7)
- Willing Heart (Ex. 25:2; 35:5)
- Tender Heart (Eph. 4:32)
- Joyful Heart (Priv, 17:22)
- Upright Heart (Prov. 32:11)
- Pure Heart (1 Pet. 1:22)
- Sincere Heart (Eph. 6:5)
Negative Heart Conditions
- Embittered Heart (Jas. 3:14)
- Proud Heart (Deut 8:14)
- Perverse Heart (Prov. 11:20).
- Deceitful Heart (Mk. 7:21-23).
- Hard Heart (Heb. 3:8)
- Impenitent Heart (Rom. 1:21; 2:5)
- Dishonest Heart (Jer. 22:17)
Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions, either positive or negative?
The Bible refers to the heart over 800 times, almost always in a spiritual sense. Just like there are four chambers of the physical heart, the Bible speaks of the four chambers of the spiritual heart–intellect, emotions, conscience, and will. In a previous post, we explored those four aspects and how they apply to us as we give God our whole heart.
We must guard our hearts from apathy, greed, deceit, and discouragement. We must keep our hearts from ignorance by studying God’s Word. And we must protect the heart against indifference, immorality, and improper attitudes.
The best way to eliminate adverse heart conditions is by developing positive heart qualities. Jesus, of course, is our perfect example. If we develop the attitude of Christ (Phil. 2:5), we will become more like Him, conformed to His image instead of allowing the world to squeeze us into its mold.
Some Christ-like qualities we’re going to be studying include a humble, wise, devoted, loving, compassionate, forgiving, pure, brave, sacrificial, and enduring heart. When we develop those spiritual heart traits, we can become partakers of the Divine nature (2 Pet 1:3-4)
The importance of a Christ-like heart is echoed by many religious writers and thinkers.
John R. W. Stott wrote, “The heart of Christianity is the heart of Christ.”
“A holy life flows from a holy heart,” observed Thomas Watson.
These three quotes from my favorite author, Anonymous, speak to the practical, daily application of a Christ-like heart.
“A Jesus-shaped heart changes how we see everyone.”
“You can’t follow Jesus far without learning to love deeply.”
“The gospel transforms the heart before it reforms behavior.”
Finally, the prayer of David, identified as “a man after God’s own heart, ought to be our constant plea “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Ps. 51:10).
How’s your heart?
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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