A Matter Of The Heart

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Introduction

We are certainly at war. A spiritual war. The biggest part of this war is fought in our own hearts. The Psalmist knew that he who controls the heart wins. Who or what is in control of your heart today?

I. TO NOT SIN

A. Considering all Jesus has done for us – we want to not sin

1. His love – “Greater love hath no man than this

2. How much love does it take for a man to give up his very life?

3. His suffering – the cross

4. Present love – the hairs of our head are numbered - He care about the intricate details of our life

B. Can a man live without sin? YES - The Bible teaches we can live above sin. 1 John 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”

C. The flesh will still want sin. Paul describe the battle against sin in Rom 7 then he give a conclusion of the matter in Rom 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”

D. The Power of sin which is bondage has been broken.

1. Rom 6:18 “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness”

2. Rom 6:22 ”But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life “

3. John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”

4. Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins

E. Those who teach that we all sin every day are teaching a watered down no deliverance gospel. WHEN GOD SAVES US HE TAKES US OUT OF THE SINNING BUSINESS !

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

II. WHATS IN OUR HEART

A. Jeremiah by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit described the heart as wicked and deceitful

1. Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

B. The things we say come from our heart – Jesus said Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1. Cursing is not a habit problem – It is a heart problem – it is a sign you are not fully surrendered to God.

C. We are to keep (protect) our heart - Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

1. watch what we see

2. watch what we hear

3. watch what is influencing us – music , friends, movies - these have an influence on us.

D. The flesh wants to fill the heart with worldliness – the flesh has an appetite for sin. The flesh says don’t get to fanatical – you still have your old desires you know. WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR FLESH ?

1. illustration – the two wolves

2. You won’t overcome sin by feeding the flesh

E.

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

III. THE WORD OF GOD

A. It is pure

1. Psalm 12:6-7 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?

2.

B. It is powerful

1. It was the word of God that produced light and bought the world into existence. Heb 11:3 “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”

C. It is priceless – many saints have given their very lives to protect and pass on to us the word of God. We have no idea how blessed we are to have a Bible.

D. The hearing of it produces faith – Rom 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.

1. many times Christians tell me they need more faith – yet they fail to read their Bibles

E. It is our weapon – Eph 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”