the issues of life.
PROVERBS 4:23
GOD LOOKS ON THE HEART
If we look to the Old Testament, the word used for the heart is frequently synonymous with the expression for the mind, which gives us the understanding of the very center
of our emotions, thoughts, and spirit.
In 1 SAMUEL 16:7 Samuel is reasoning that Eliab, David's older brother as the one he should anoint as king. But, the Lord said unto Samuel, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
In DEUTERONOMY 11:13 And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and so to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul...
Finally in, JEREMIAH 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
THE CENTER OF OUR BEING IS THE HEART
To understand all that God is speaking of here, we must consider the facts. Number one, God wasn't talking about the muscle which pumps blood through our bodies, it's so much more than that.
He is telling us above everything else, to watch over your heart; diligently guard it because... from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life.
DIFFERENT CULTURES SEARCH THE INNER MAN
Every culture has some internal organ which it considers the candid emotional, spiritual, mental and innermost being of a person. Our culture often refers to the heart as being the deepest and most personal part of our lives.
We've all said things like, "I love you with all my heart!" Or "Eat your heart out!" Even, "Have a heart" and "Lets get to the heart of this matter." It's our own way of verbalizing the very center of a persons mental state, and a way of understanding another person's thoughts.
COMPUTERS AND HEARTS
Our hearts are very often like that of a computer. Sin is the virus which slithers in and gradually begins to contaminate every area of our lives. If we're not guarding our heart diligently, sin invades and gains so much ground that it is appears insurmountable and impossible to
destroy and remove it.
That's exactly why we need to not only safeguard our hearts, we also must allow the Holy Spirit to do His job. The Psalmist had this very thought in mind: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
PSALM 139:23-24
LOOKING FOR A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST
God created us, He loves us and He alone knows ALL about us! It is with the blood of His Son Jesus that He can cleanse us from all unrighteousness, all of our sins! But we must allow the Holy Spirit to search our hearts and cleanse us, then and only then can we address the purity of our hearts.
Is there something in your life that is keeping you from a deeper more fulfilling intimate relationship with God? Could it be an attitude towards someone who you believe has wronged you? Maybe it's merely a feeling of pride in yourself, or it could be a desire that you know is displeasing to the Lord, but you continue in it.
GOD IS LOOKING FOR A GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU
So my friends, take time to examine your heart, fully and honestly. Do it on a daily basis until it becomes a part of who you are in Christ Jesus!
All our Lord is asking is that you acknowledge and confess your sins. He is there to not only forgive you, but to be merciful in not remembering your sins, when you recognize and confess them.
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
HEBREWS 8:12
Jesus referred to the heart frequently in His ministry saying, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
MATTHEW 5:8
BELOW:
Search Me O God (LIVE) - The Cathedrals