The Heart of the Matter

These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Matt. 15:8

The heart is the core of your being… the centre of what you desire and long for.

God looks at the heart.

…For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

It is the heart of the matter that matters.

Your heart is the real you.

For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. Luke 6:44

My son, give me your heart… Prov. 23:26

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Hebrews 8:10

Guard your heart.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23, NIV

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps. 139:23-24

We prosper as our soul prospers.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2

Your heart is a treasure chest.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Lk. 6:45

You will become what you allow in your heart.

You will act out of what is in your heart.

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Dan. 1:8

The Way of Temptation

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:13-15

The Way of Sanctification

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Corinthians 1:30

The look saves… the gaze sanctifies.

Parable of the seeds

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Mt. 13:19

Unite my heart.

Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11

Simon wanted the right thing for the wrong reason.

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. Acts 8:18-22