... In The Heart

I. It is a fact that the heart is the source of power. In medical perspective, it is the pumping station of blood to the body/flesh. The power is in the blood and in the blood is life (Leviticus 17:11). And the scripture describes the heart as place that accommodate the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). This is just a simple description of the heart.

II. At the background, the heart is an information centre (Matthew 15:18, Isaiah 51:7) which can perform the task of generating information either good (Ephesians 5:18, Colossians 3:16) or bad (James 1:15, Psalms 55:21, Matthew 15:19); storing (Psalms 119:11, Proverbs 4:21); processing and delivering of information (Matthew 12:35, Esther 6:6-7).

III. However, its storage unit behaves like the computer’s read-only memory (ROM) that easily loses information. When man retraces his step, the storage unit of his heart has lost evil information. And when it recovers evil information, it indicates man has gone back to sin. Lest I forget, the heart has a control unit and it may interest you to note that God is able to x-ray, view and test the man’s heart (Psalms 139:23) but not control (Isaiah 11:18). Man owes it a duty to take full responsibility of controlling his heart (Psalms 86:11, Mark 4:14-15).

IV. The conscience of the man acts like access control and once it is attacked, influenced or manipulated, the heart becomes porous. This is the reason cases of rape, adultery, racial abuse, corruption and other form of vices are rampant today. What our surroundings is made up of, tends to play a critical role of how our heart behaves. That was why God warned the children of Israel to have nothing to do with ‘ítes’ (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Though some are still dwellers in the promised land (Joshua 15:63), the children of Israel were instructed never to consent to their enticement (Deuteronomy 13:18, Proverbs 1:10).

V. Man would say ‘it is devil’s work’, each time he is exposed in the event that a sin is committed. This is enough to say that he is very conscious of the act but the ability to resist or yield will now depends on what he is regularly feeding his heart with in his immediate surroundings. Are you in the midst of Christian gathering, I mean Christians? Where are you regularly seen while relaxing?

VI. These are crucial determinants as they influence the conscience in order to plant and water whatever they have put in the heart. When the heart is filled with evil information (thought) contraction takes place (Luke 8:14, Mark 4:19) more often than not results to serious consequence (1 Samuel 4:18). When it is filled with good information (thought), expansion takes place (Luke 8:15, Mark 14:20). But when it refuses to yield to God’s instructions it hardens (Exodus 7:14). It is not surprising to know that man’s plans are strategized in the heart (Matthew 12:35, Matthew 15:19). It now depends on the occupant. Who is currently occupying your heart? There is a general saying ‘an idle mind is a devil’s workshop’. I am in consonant with the idea because the heart can never be empty. It has to be occupied with something to shape it either to contract, expand or harden. What device is shaping your heart? I pray that the counsel of the Lord that shall stand as declared in Proverbs 19:21.

VII. Without mincing words, evil information is easier to flow into the heart in worldly surroundings. If your heart treasures in worldly things (Ecclesiastes 5:10, Matthew 6:21) then you have succeeded in planting evil in your heart (1 Timothy 6:10). The heart is just like a ship and two sailors cannot navigate a ship at a time. It is either you serve the master (God) or a mammon (Money) (Matthew 6:24, 1 John 2:15-16). Who is operating your heart at this moment?

Conclusion:

Let us be mindful of what occupies our hearts. The story of Hamman is a good lesson for the Christians. The evil that presumed in his heart concerning the Jewish people (Esther 7:4-5) led to his own death (Esther 7:10). But if you purge your heart of these worldly things then you will be a vessel for master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21). If you love God you will submit your heart totally to Him (Psalms 139:24, Psalms 86:11); keep His commandments (John 14:15, Psalms 119:11) in your heart and do them (Deuteronomy 4:6, Proverbs 4:21).

Prayer Points:

1. Oh Lord, renew every heart that is attacked by the forces of the darkness in the name of Jesus. Amen.

2. Oh Lord, I pray that my heart will consent not to the worldly enticement in Jesus’ name. Amen.

3. Oh Lord, build your wall of fire around my heart in Jesus’ name. Amen

4. Oh Lord. According to Psalms 51:10 create in me a clean heart in Jesus’ name. Amen.