July 8, Your Heart Matters

Today’s reading: Psalms 36-40

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will
give you the desires of your heart” - Psalm 37:4.

There is much confusion and distrust about the issue of the heart. Many have been taught and believe that the heart is evil, will always be evil and is never to be trusted. That makes their faith a “head” faith — lacking emotion and passion, but strong on doctrine and, if not careful, legalism. What’s more, those same people have been taught to distrust their own thought process. Paul wrote these words: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). The problem to this approach is this: Does the Spirit’s presence in your life ever make a difference in your heart and mind? If the heart is so evil, then how can today’s verse from Psalm 37 be true? Could it be true because there are desires that God put in your heart, and following your heart is not dangerous but absolutely essential to finding and doing God’s will? Therefore, the real question today is: What’s in your heart, and why are you so afraid of following it?