Series: Seven
Week: 5
Passage: Proverbs 6:18
Title: The Heart
Interesting Statement: The heart is the engine of human existence - the most important organ of the body. Without the heart, man cannot survive as the heart carries oxygen to all parts of the body as it providing strength and circulation to work properly. Heart disease kills millions every year. We only have one heart (unless transplanted) there is no back up plan for heart failure.
Introduction: The Bible speaks of the human heart almost 300 times - not so much about the vital blood pumping muscle but uses that as a parallel for the spiritual side of humanity. The Bible tells us the heart is connected to the mind, will and understanding and should be guarded against evil. Jeremiah said a man’s heart is “deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9) as sin has permanently affected our hearts. However, God “knows the secrets of the heart” (Psalm 44:21), “searches the heart” (Jeremiah 17:10), gives a proper solution (Jesus Christ) for the sinful heart and demands we turn from ourselves serving God with a “whole heart and willing mind” (1 Chron. 28:9). This morning we ask two questions…
#1: Is My Heart “Beating” Against the Lord?
• Explanation: The Hebrew word “heart” speaks of the inner man, his mind and thoughts. The sinful heart (that one without Christ) purposely “devises” wicked plans as all six things in Prov. 6 that God hates come from this heart. A “heart that devises wicked plans” is set on (1) fulfilling his own path, (2) pleasing himself and (3) fulfilling his own desires. Proverbs 19 says this kind of heart rages against the Lord and leads to ruin (Prov. 19:3) as God hates “evil in the heart against another.” (Zech. 8:17)
• Illustration: OT examples of how this played out…
• Rebecca and Jacob (Gen. 27:5-29) - Used deception against Esau so that Jacob would get the blessing (stuff).
• Jezebel and Ahab (1 Kings 21:1-16) – Naboth had field next to King Ahab. Ahab tried to buy the land from Naboth who couldn’t sell as God had told him no. Jezebel scheming to get her way for Ahab.
• Jonadab and Ammon (2 Sam. 13:1-15) – Amnon was in love with Tamar (half sister) and devised wicked plans with Jonadab so she falls in love with him.
• Esau and Haman (Gen. 27:41-45 and Esther 7:3-6) - Plotted to kill Jacob and wish destruction on the Jews
• All of these things started in the divisive heart and God HATED it!
• Application: The consequence of a heart that plots wicked plans is worth contemplating as staying against Christ and His desire for our lives leads to…
• A Life of Sadness – Those that devise (plot) evil are dishonest. There is no peace. Only those in line with the Lord have true joy. (Prov. 12:20)
• A Life of Brokenness – Proverbs says that a man with a heart that plots evil is one who will have “calamity come suddenly… he will be broken with no healing.” (Prov. 6:14-15)
• A Life Apart from Christ – Luke says, “He (God) has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart…” (Luke 1:51) and those who are “after themselves and their own impurities.” (Romans 1:24)
• Example: Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-6) Wheat and the Tares (Matt. 13:24-30)
Transition: We are to not be this way! Paul says we “destroy every argument and opinion raised against the knowledge of God” and “take every thought (there’s the heart!) captive to obey Christ…” In other words, we are to have a heart that beats for the Lord!
#2: Is My Heart “Beating” for the Lord?
• Explanation: When we confess and receive Jesus, we turn our sinful hearts over to His control. Paul says, “Whenever their heart turns to the Lord, the veil (sin) is taken away…. being transformed into the same image (of Christ) from glory to glory…” (2 Cor. 3:16, 18) A heart against the Lord cannot see or reflect the Lord but when a heart (all our mind and thoughts) is given to the Lord the veil (sin) is removed and we can see God’s love for us and know how to love Him in return. While most have us have done this, our question is how do we keep our heart beating for the Lord?
o David’s Advice – David said, “I am like a deaf man… a dumb man… who does not hear and in whose mouth are no arguments. I hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 38:13-15) David refuses to do evil and trust in the Lord (in all times) He knew God was in control. He refused to repay evil for evil and ignored it!
• Do you do that?
o Nehemiah’s Advice – Nehemiah did two things…
• He Prayed – “Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.” (Neh. 4:4)
• He Kept on Doing God’s Work – “So we built the wall… for the people had a mind to work.” (Neh. 4:6) Nehemiah refused to compromise to those with an evil heart and remained working for the Lord! (Neh. 6:2 3)
• Do you do that?
• Illustration: Whose influence are we following? The worlds or the Word’s? A heart that beats for the Lord refuses to repay evil (for evil), delight in evil or scheme evil things in his (or her) heart.
• Application: A heart that keeps beating for the Lord is a heart that does a few things…
o It Forgives Offenses - “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 // Lack of forgiving only hardens the heart more…
• "I can forgive, but I cannot forget,' is only another way of saying, 'I will not forgive." Henry Ward Beecher
o It Trusts God Will Fix – “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is min, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) // An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind…
• Christians don't have to plan revenge (evil) when we have a Protector who always does what is right!
o It Looks/Rises Above – “Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” (Isaiah 40:30 31) // Taking the high road is a Godly road…
Conclusion: Others don’t know the true status of your heart, only God does. The Psalmist says, “The Lord knows all human plan; He knows they are futile.” (Psalm 94:11) While we may have others fooled, we can never fool the Lord! Be honest! What is the status of your heart? Is it beating against or for the Lord? Is it set on pleasing only yourself and what you desire to accomplish or is it set on pleasing the Lord for all He has accomplished through you?
