Over time, I have come to recognize that our actions are shaped by the condition of our hearts, as reflected in Proverbs 4:23. Recently, I was challenged to examine the motives behind my giving to others. I had to consider whether I was giving in obedience to God’s direction or responding from a place of personal need.

This challenge brought a deep conviction that I needed to surrender my giving more fully in obedience to Him. I asked for forgiveness and for greater clarity about the true condition of my heart.

In Scripture, the heart refers to a person’s inner moral and spiritual life—the very core of who we are. God alone can see into the heart and perceive what others cannot.

Luke 6:45 (NIV) says: A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Recently a minister friend said: If you listen to people long enough, you can determine where they stand. So true!

In this day and hour, it’s very easy to let our hearts be influenced by the voices of the world. Everyone has an opinion, and it’s all very easily accessed through social media and political viewpoints based on man's perception. How many are truly being mindful to guard their hearts and ask God what His word says? How many take the time to access His heart on pressing matters before forming their own opinions and spewing it out for others to digest?

It is essential as followers of Christ that we base our lives on the Truth in Gods word. Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) says: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God’s word is vibrant and effective. It has the ability to cut through pretense and reveal truth. It reaches deep into the human heart, to discern it's thoughts and intentions.

Are we allowing the Word to actively shape our thoughts and actions? Are we letting it soak deep down into our innermost being and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, bring about true lasting change and transformation to our hearts?

Only when we draw near to God can He access and change our hearts and once again bring us back to the need for true intimacy. True intimacy takes time, dedication, faithfulness and a desire to truly know God and walk with Him on a consistent basis. We have an enemy who loves nothing more than to distract us away from that secret place with God where we can find the deepest treasures, insight and wisdom of the Lover of our soul, Jesus Christ.

The Bible says not to be ignorant of his devices but to be alert and of a sober mind because our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (See 2 Corinthians 2:11 & 1 Peter 5:8.)

Our enemy majors on trying to overcome our minds with his lies so he can build his strongholds of unbelief and keep us from the true love of God. Every day we are given the choice of who we will follow and who we will listen to. Will we obey and listen to the Holy Spirit? Or will we lean on our own understanding and walk in the way of our flesh? (See Proverbs 3:5 & John 6:63.)

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NASB) says: For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Is your heart completely His? Are you truly forsaking the things of this world? Are you sold out to righteousness? It’s the only way to walk with the King of Kings. I encourage you be mindful to guard your heart, to surrender to Jesus Christ, to let Him align it with His will and character, and to fill it with love, compassion and righteousness.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your love and kindness to me. Help me to draw near to You in true intimacy, walking with You each day in total surrender. May Your word dwell richly in my heart and the revelation of it soak deeply into my innermost being. I desire to store up and bring forth only good things from my heart. Please give me grace to surrender my heart fully and completely to You so You can create in me a clean heart filled with Your love, compassion, and righteousness. Help and guide me to make wise decisions each day and to forsake the things of this world in order to gain the abundant life You provide as my Lord and Savior.

Key Scriptures

Here are a few Scriptures on light to help you get started:

• 1 Samuel 16:7
• Proverbs 21:2
• 1 Chronicles 28:9
• Psalm 44:21
• Jeremiah 17:10
• Hebrews 4:12
• 1 Kings 8:39
• Acts 1:24
• Romans 8:27
• 1 Corinthians 4:5
• 1 ThessalonianS 2:4
• Revelation 2:23