The heart of the matter, is the heart (II) Guarding it diligently

I have had Christians tell me that Jeremiah 17:9 (the heart is deceitful …) is Old Testament, and that Christians cannot be deceived. But if that were true,  why would the New Testament warn us not to be deceived (Galatians 6:7)? Part of the reason we need to know how deceptive the heart is,  is because “out of it is the wellspring of life.” For this very reason we are told to guard it with all diligence, and to do it “Above all else” (Proverbs 4:23). The World tells us “The heart wants what the heart wants,” and acts as if the only way to act, is to follow it. The Christian however,  is not to be conformed to the World (Romans 12:2).

 As I have said before, modern  research has shown  that our thoughts and emotions are inseparable. And so  I find it helpful to think of the heart as our combined thoughts and emotions. Now while we might not have direct control over our emotions, we do have control over our thoughts. Indeed we are admonished to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).  And since our thoughts and emotions are inseparable this does give us (and the Lord Philippians 2:13) indirect  control over our emotions. So if we take every thought captive,  the emotions will eventually fall into line.  It takes discipline of course, and if we have spent a lifetime with undisciplined thoughts, then a stronghold will likely have formed. In such cases, it will take a long obedience in the same direction.

With Christ as our higher power however,  strongholds can be pulled down. In fact,  the Lord has given us weapons to do just that. Now these weapons are not the World’s weapons, but they are mighty weapons,  well able to pull down  strongholds.  In the words of AA blurb however “half measures profited us nothing.” We need to present out bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), and to work out our sanctification (our deliverance from the power and pollution of sin)  with fear and trembling because “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:12,13 NLT).  In other words we are not helpless in the face of our emotions, and though he who sins is the slave of sin, nevertheless if the Son shall set you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:34,36).

Father, we will not be delivered from either apathy or deep sin, neither will we enter into the abundant life without the radical obedience to which You call us.  It might seem impossible at times Lord, but You never call us without also equipping us, giving us the wherewithal to do Your will. When our strength is small, Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. However, You will not do for us what we can do for ourselves. But when we do our part,  You make up for what we cannot do, even if by this time we aught to be able to do it. Truly Lord You are an amazing,  merciful and loving Father. And I want to thank You,  that when we  guard our hearts diligently in these ways, then you give us the desire and the power to do what pleases You,  and what at the same time, bring us life. In Jesus Name Amen