Heart Problems

SCRIPTURE: Matt. 15:19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.

OBSERVATION: The things we know are evil--the ones Jesus listed--come from our hearts, not simply our actions. So, if we are dealing with immorality or lying or slander against another person, the place to focus is not so much on the actions but on the heart. What we have is not so much an action problem as a heart problem. This was the fundamental mistake the Pharisees made--they were worried about actions, Jesus wanted them to look deeper to the heart.

APPLICATION/CONFESSION: I try to focus on self-control--not a bad thing, I need to be self-controlled but what this section of scripture tells me that the real problem is a heart one. I know for me that the heart issue is rebellion--there is something inside me that simply feels like I should be able to do what I want to do and no one--God included--should interfere with my decisions. When I give into that way of thinking my heart is wrong and wrong actions are sure to follow.

PRAYER: Dear God, conquer my heart for good!! Conquer my wayward heart for you!! I love you and yet I have a hard time submitting to your rulership. Give me your grace and give me a new heart.