Tessa speaks about lending our hearts to God and he will do His work. He wants to work through us and transform our hearts and lives.

The Heart of the Matter

Tessa De Vilbiss 

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10

My super wise roommate said something last night that’s been making me think.

“I used to be really into theology and knowledge, and I still am. But it was only in my head, you know? And the heart is what matters.”

“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” – 1 Corinthians 8:1 

I’m sort of a nerd about knowledge about the bible. (Maybe not to the extent that my roommate who is learning Hebrew is, but I do love a good theological fact.)

Why is the heart so important? Facts seem to sometimes equip us to impress others and assure our minds that we’re on track.

“I memorized this verse and I know what agape means. CS Lewis is my BFF. Ya, I’m spiritually healthy.”

Don’t get me wrong that knowledge about why people think Paul didn’t actually write Ephesians or Colossians is useful and knowing verses by memory equip us, but I don’t think this is ultimately what Jesus will ask when He sees us.

“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “ – Matthew 7:21-23

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

Is our treasure found in glorifying Jesus or ourselves? A heart that knows our Lord will seek to glorify Him.

Possibly the verse used for the most cheesy purposes, but “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

What is on your heart will show. This is why Matthew and the other Gospels are filled with so many verses about hearts.

“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” –  Matthew 12:34

We’re going through Romans at Rock Harbor right now and talking a lot about being slaves to sin or righteousness.

Jesus moves us from slavery to sin to following Him and His Kingship. Yet, we do nothing to change. Behavior modification doesn’t produce long term results. Only heart change truly works.

The Lord wants to give us a new heart and transform our lives.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26

Honestly, our hearts are in pretty messed up conditions. We need to rely on Him to produce change and melt away the ice that keeps us from His warming Love.

A willingness to follow, surrender, pray, humbleness, patience, and faith creates in us a new heart. The Spirit blesses us through faithfulness to Him.