[Printable version]
[Also published in Nuggets for the Needy]
Omega Message – April 1982
Mavis M. duCille
Some weeks ago the Lord spoke to my heart, that there is life or death in the heart. This speaks of spiritual or physical life as well as spiritual or physical death.
It was made very clear that spiritual health produces physical health also, that is the reason the Lord calls us to overcoming, from victory to victory, until that last enemy (death) be put under foot.
The Heart:
The natural heart is the center or seat of the physical even so the spiritual heart is the center of the spiritual being. The heart performs a very important function in the human system, involving the blood which is the life of the flesh. One can very easily see the word ‘heart’ in reference to the entire mental and moral activity, involving intellect and emotion. Figuratively it can be considered as a well-spring of life. The heart therefore, can be either depraved by sin, which defiles the man thus causing corrupt actions, (Mat. 15:19), or can be the sphere of Divine influence. (Ro. 2:15 and Acts 15:9)
Romans 2:15 “Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;”
Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander and irreverent speech.”
Acts 15:9 “And He made no difference between us and them but cleansed their hearts by faith (that is by a strong and welcome conviction that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.”
The heart contains the real man; his true character – expressed or unexpressed. It is really the expression of the soul.
The hard or stony heart does not submit to the will of God. The heart must be guarded:
Prov 4:23 “Keep your heart, with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.”
The pure in heart shall see God. Yes, there is a difference between the clean heart and the pure heart. The Clean Heart is one that has repented and is forgiven; a pure heart is one that has been purified by the indwelling and operation of Christ, through faith, which enables one to comprehend the love of God; (Mat. 5:8; Eph.3:17;).
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed-enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous (that is, with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) – are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”
Ephesians 3:17 “May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell – settle down, abide, make His permanent home – in your hearts. May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.”
The word of God when hidden in the center of the heart will be life, healing and health:
Proverbs 4:21 “Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.”
The characteristics of the impure heart are:
(1) Stubbornness – Ecclesiastics 8:11
Ec. 8:11 “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.:
(2) Madness – Ecclesiastics 9:3
Ec. 9:3 “This evil is in all that is done under the sun: that one fate comes to all; also the hearts of men are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.”
(3) Depravity – Jeremiah 17:8
Jer 17:8 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it.”
Mark 7:21-22
Mark 7:20 “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
7:21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
7:22 “Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
7:23 “All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
(4) Wicked thoughts: (producing dangerous and destructive wickedness.)
(5) Sexual immorality:
(6) Stealing:
(7) Adultery:
(8) Murder: Not only actual physical murder, but hate:
(9) Coveting: (Greedy desire to have more wealth)
(10) Deceit:
(11) Unrestrained (indecent) conduct:
(12) An evil eye: (envy)
(13) Slander (Speaking evil), malicious misrepresentation, abusiveness:
(14) Pride – sin of an uplifted heart against God and man.
(15) Foolishness: Lack of sense, recklessness, thoughtlessness.
The characteristics of the pure heart are:
Galatians 5:22-23
Gal 5:22 ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 “Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(1) Love (God’s love):
(2) Joy (Gladness):
(3) Peace:
(4) Patience or longsuffering, which is an even temper, forbearance:
(5) Kindness:
(6) Goodness or Benevolence:
(7) Faithfulness:
(8) Meekness or Humility:
(9) Gentleness:
(10) Self-control (Self-restraint, Continence):
Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things………”
The secrets of every heart are known of God: he perceives every thought; he knows the intent of the heart, and this knowledge is reserved unto God alone. The devil does not have this power and authority.
A tree is identified by its fruit. No good healthy tree bears decayed, worthless, stale fruit, nor can a decayed, worthless tree produce good fruit; therefore a tree can be identified by its fruit.
In the same manner the upright and honorable person, out of the storehouse of his heart produces upright and honorable deeds.
In Gen 6:5 we see God looking down into the hearts of that generation, he beheld the magnitude of wickedness in the earth, that generation, he beheld the magnitude of wickedness in the earth, that every “imagination and intention of human thinking was only evil continually.” God saw hearts full of depravity, desecration, lust for power, degenerate, base, violently vicious and corrupt humanity departed and departing from God’s established principles of life. Men preferred evil to good and had set their hearts to do evil. The implication here is that they were creating a society where good would be exterminated and one in which the greatest sin against society would be to be good. The redeeming factor is that Noah’s heart was right before the Lord, (Vrs.8) thus God saved him and his family from the flood. The principle is that ‘righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people. ‘
Integrity of the Heart:
God places a certain integrity in man’s heart, which he can cultivate or destroy – he has the choice -. This is the reason parents are encouraged to help their children develop a good character, or integrity by resisting the evil or wrong suggestions that visit their young hearts – (possibly from familiar weaknesses – familiar spirits). “The sin of the father shall visit the third and fourth generation of them that hate (disobedient) me.” Those who are delivered from disobedience through the blood of Jesus Christ and the grace of God, are able to break the power of sin and bondage, not only for ourselves, but for our household: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 11:14)
We have the responsibility to teach the children the difference between right and wrong, good and evil at an early age. They should realize that there is a punishment for evil (disobedience etc.) This helps to give the incentive to resist the evil and do the good.
In order to partake of the tree of life, we must resist the devil, refuse evil, and choose good. Lack of integrity of heart puts a very low premium on the most valuable things in life: Example: Esau sold his birthright for food (that which satisfied the flesh); Judas, his bishopric, etc., etc., and who knows how many from day to day are making the choice and selling out for nothing or on the other hand selling out for the Pearl of Greatest price.
Romans 8:2 “The law of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Let us lay a hold of this Law of Life, and let us plant it in the center of our hearts, that we may be established in him.
Sonlight Devotional 