One of my favorite scriptures growing up as a teenager was Proverbs 3:5-6. It is one of the most balanced scriptures I know. It has what to do as well as what not to do, and it is anchored by an encouraging promise.
As a young minister I would often choose this text for its great revelation on our need to trust God. The scripture said “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Don’t depend on your head to get you through this life as a believer.
Why the heart?
Proverbs 4:23
If you thought trust was a hard nut to crack, how much more difficult is it to manage your heart?
It may surprise you to know that the heart is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times. It is a topic of great discussion and concern in both old and new testaments. It even plays a pivotal role in our salvation.
Romans 10:9
This scripture speaks of both an exterior and interior commitment to God. There are many who fill churches on Sunday with an outward commitment but still struggle greatly on the inside with kingdom living in their heart.
God is looking for believers in public as well as private.
God gave us His all and He wants all of you in return.
Never be deceived. It is possible to fool all onlookers, but God sees the real you because He knows your heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
The days of being lukewarm are over.
Revelation 3:15-16
In Exodus 7:3-5 God does a heart adjustment on Pharaoh so He can make an example of Him and reveal Himself to others. The last thing we should ever want as believers is for God to use us destructively to prove Himself to others.
There is a tipping point where our hearts can get us into trouble with God, if we are not careful.
Matthew 13:14-15
We should all pray that our hearts don’t become so calloused that our eyes no longer see what is righteous or that evil appears to be good in our minds. To avoid this confusion, we must give our hearts to God wholly.
What have you given your heart to above God?
God wants your heart to love Him over all things.
Romans 2:5
Sin will always harden our heart to God’s will.
Proverbs 21:2
Beware of a selfish heart. It will always direct you to your own will and keep you spiritual bound to your own self-righteousness. This is a formula for little or no growth, and causes us to sacrifice the life changing power of God. This is the quickest way to become stagnate as a Christian.
This is why you have to guard your heart.
Matthew 15:19-20
What are you doing to clean your heart?
Jeremiah 17:9
Psalm 51:10 (KJ) “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Do you know the cost?
Guard what has already been planted from the Lord.
Psalm 51:10
If we want to guard our hearts, we must create the right atmosphere for a kingdom heart to grow in us!
Protect what has already been planted in you from the Lord.
Matthew 13:19
Don’t let the enemy snatch away your potential harvest.
Make time to study the word as it cast light on all darkness.
Psalm 119:105
We must learn to close our hearts to people, places and things that are not of God.
Examine your life to see what dark influences you allow access to your personal space?
1 Corinthians 15:33
What do you allow yourself to consider or meditate on?
Joshua 1:8
This behavior comes with a promise of abundance. As believers, we should choose to meditate on His promises and not the problems of this world.
Luke 6:45
What is your mouth saying about what’s in your heart today?
2 Corinthians 10:5
We all need a heart for the kingdom!
Psalms 28:7
In this season, God is calling for an awakening of our heart.
The time has come to choose and earthly heart or a kingdom one.
This choice will determine your final destination.