What is in your heart?

Have you ever paused to reflect on the state of your heart? This question is more than a surface-level inquiry; it touches the core of who you are—your motivations, desires, and the condition of your inner life. The Bible speaks often about the heart, emphasizing its importance as the center of our thoughts, emotions, and will. As believers, we are called to guard and nurture our hearts in alignment with God’s truth.

Let us dive into this essential question: What is in your heart? What you find there can reveal much about your spiritual health and your relationship with God.

1. The Heart: A Window to the Soul

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." This verse underscores the heart’s critical role in shaping our words, actions, and attitudes. Whatever resides in your heart—whether it be love, bitterness, faith, or fear—will inevitably influence how you live.

Jesus confirmed this truth in Matthew 12:34-35: "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him." What flows out of your life is a direct reflection of what is stored within.

2. The Struggle of the Heart

The human heart is often conflicted. Jeremiah 17:9 describes its natural state: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This can be difficult to accept, but it’s a reminder of our need for God’s transforming work.

Have you ever noticed how quickly your heart can turn toward worry, pride, jealousy, or anger? Without God, the heart is prone to wander. However, there is hope! God’s promise in Ezekiel 36:26 declares, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

3. What Does God Desire to See in Your Heart?

God desires hearts that are pure, humble, and aligned with His will. In Psalm 24:3-4, we are reminded, "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god."

A heart surrendered to God reflects His character and seeks to honor Him. But how can we cultivate such a heart? It begins with allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, transforming our desires and renewing our minds (Romans 12:2).

4. Examining Your Heart

Asking yourself, "What is in my heart?" is a powerful act of self-reflection. Here are a few questions to help you examine it:

  • What do I treasure most? "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).
  • Am I holding onto unforgiveness or bitterness? "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).
  • Do I trust God fully? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).
  • Am I aligning my desires with God’s will? "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4).

5. A Heart Transformed by God

The beautiful truth is that God doesn’t leave us in the state He finds us. When we surrender our hearts to Him, He transforms them. Psalm 51:10 is a prayer of surrender: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." This should be the cry of every believer seeking to live a life that honors God.

A transformed heart is filled with the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the marks of a heart surrendered to Christ.

Conclusion: What Is in Your Heart?

As you reflect on this question, remember that God sees and knows your heart fully (1 Samuel 16:7). There is no hiding from Him, but there is also no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1). He is ready to cleanse, renew, and fill your heart with His love and peace.

Take time today to seek Him, asking Him to reveal what is in your heart and to transform it into a vessel for His glory.

Closing Prayer

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before You with humble hearts, asking for Your cleansing and renewal. Search our hearts, O Lord, and show us anything that does not align with Your will (Psalm 139:23-24). Teach us to treasure You above all else and to surrender every corner of our hearts to You. Thank You for Your promise to give us a new heart and put Your Spirit within us. We trust in Your transforming power and commit to walking in Your ways. In the almighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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