Heart

Heart

What kind of heart does God desire for me?

God’s Response

I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. 1 Chronicles 29:17

You desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. . . . Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:6, 10

God is far more concerned about the condition of our hearts than he is with our external behavior—for our behavior always flows from our hearts, and not the other way around. When our motives are selfish or impure, it is only a matter of time until our actions are also selfish and impure. To have the kind of heart God desires, you must first sincerely desire a relationship with him. This comes through a determination to live with integrity, to be humble, to obey God’s Word, and to love and serve others. If your motives are good and you are really trying to do this, then God is pleased with your heart. He’s not asking for perfection, just sincere effort.

God’s Promise

I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20