1. What is the heart in the Scriptures?
   
   
   1. The heart in the scriptures is most often not a reference to a physical organ but refers to that part of us which represents our intellect, emotions and will.
      1. It is that part of us that is able to think (Pro 23:7)
      2. It is that part of us that is able to understand (cp. Mat 13:15).
      3. It is that part of us that is able to reasons (cp. Mar 2:6, 8).
      4. It is that part of us that is able to obey (Rom 6:17).
      5. It is that part of us that is able to believe (Rom 10:9-10).
      6. We can have a deceived heart which will lead us into believing everything is just fine where we are, though we may be spiritually dying, or we can have a heart of understanding which leads us to make the necessary changes we need to in our lives.
      
      
   2. A Deceived Heart (2Ti 3:13).
      1. Deception is one the tools the devil tries to use against us.
      2. Having been deceived is evident through a lack of love for the truth (cp.2Th 2:10-12).
      3. Having been deceived then becomes obvious through spiritually out of control behavior.
         1. It could take a lifetime of diligent effort to master one's self (1Co 9:25-27).
         2. Are you busy with it?
         3. Failure in self-control is evidenced by a heart that is dominated by the flesh.
            1. That can be evident through an out of control mouth.
            2. James wrote that no one can tame the tongue (Jam 3:8) therefore, it must be controlled.
            3. Jesus said, "those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man" (Mat 15:18).
         4. An out of control mouth will reveal a lot about one's spiritual heart.
         5. Through an out of contolled mouth comes:
            1. Profanity (Eph 4:29; 5:3-4).
            2. Lies (Eph 4:25).
            3. Unkept vows or promises.
            4. Idle words.
            5. All evil speaking (Eph 4:31-32).
            6. Let's take care to contol our mouths.
            7. Remember, it will be a fearful thing to face God with such a heart (Heb 10:31)!
      4. The deceived heart is filled with conflict within between the spiritual man and the physical man (2Pe 1:8-11; Gal 5:19-26).
      
      
   3. An Understanding Heart (Eph 5:17).
      1. To avoid God's justice and to reap of his mercy; his goodness, we need understanding (Hos 4:6) which will persuade us to live godly (cp. Ti 2:11-12).
   
   

   Transition: It may be that there are struggles in your marriage, with your children, with your responsibilities as a Christian, a parent, a child, a friend or an employee. You probably have a great need.
   
   

2. What is the Need of the Heart in the Scriptures (Hos 10:12).
   
   
   1. An unprepared heart leaves a person for the most part, unaffected God's word or moving in a direction against God (cp. 2Ch 12:14).
      1. It is the reason some will attend the services of the church, receiving very little benefit from experience in the end while others at the same service develop and grow spiritually.
      2. It is the reason many upon hearing God's word, obey it in truth but later fall away (Mat 13:3-9, 18-23).
      3. Much of it has to do with our love: is it focused on God or gods (Mat 6:21).
      4. Where is your heart generally focused (cp. Mat 15:7-9)?
      
      
   2. It is important that we prepare our hearts (Psa 119:9-11; Pro 4:20-23).
      1. God's word is the place for each of us to start in properly preparing our hearts (cp. Psa 1:1-2).
         1. The young are instructed (cp. Ecc 12:1).
         2. Parents, specifically fathers, are instructed (Eph 6:4).
         3. Young one's will you heed the warning and parents will you help them heed it by doing your part?
      2. If at the end of our time on this earth, we want as our reward, to see God then each one of us must get busy now preparing our heart (cp. Mat 5:8).
      3. It is the impurities we allow into our hearts that results in much of the struggles we have in our lives (Psa 51:10; Jam 4:8).
      4. King David is a good example of the struggles of the soul as a result of an impure heart (Gal 6:7; Heb 3:8-9; 12-13).
      5. It is only those with a prepared heart, an "honest and good heart" in whose lives God's word brings forth fruit (Luk 8:15; Psa 119:11).

   Transition: Realizing the unprepared hearts leads to many of the struggles in our lives, and having prepared our hearts, we need to keep them focused on God's will for us.

3. What is the Result of Meeting the Need of the Heart in the Scriptures?
   1. The result is a heart that is kept.
      1. The greatest struggle of a heart converted to God is not with meeting physical needs but with keeping the heart committed to God.
      2. A heart committed to God results in obedience to God's commands (Rom 6:16-17).
      3. A heart committed to God results as the outcome of life, with great rejoicing at seeing the Lord's return and a crown of righteousness (2Ti 4:8).

Conclusion:

To love the Lord's appearing we need to meet the need of our hearts through preparing our hearts to follow God's word. That way the outcome of our lives will be eternal life in heaven.

Mat 6:33

Sources:

Anthony D. Tarole, God's Word - Setting The heart To Seek It, God's Pattern For Christian Living, Bobby Liddell, Editor, Eighteenth (1993) Annual Bellview Lectures, Pensacola, Florida

Joe R. Price, OUR SPEECH REVEALS OUR HEART

In charity through Christ,
Raymond Wiseman

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