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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: SHIFT (05/27/21)
Heart Shift

As born again Christians, we must be careful about the state and condition of our hearts. When we hear the word of God, we must endeavor to write that word on the tables of our hearts. “ My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3: 1-4). Our hearts must be circumcised by the love of Christ, through repentance and faith in our God. A circumcised heart is a repenting heart, a heart that has crucified the flesh and its lusts. A crucified heart walks in love and sincerity with others. Our hearts must be filled with the love of God. “Let us walk honestly as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Romans 13: 13-14). Our hearts must be rooted in the love of God. “Love worketh no ill will to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13: 10). Our hearts must be circumcised and not our flesh. “For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2: 28-29).

As Christians, we must have a heart shift. That heart shift involves circumcising our heart with the word of God by loving God and others as Christ has loved us. Our hearts must not be selfish and self-seeking. Our heart must be filled with love and faith. “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor un-circumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). For without love in our hearts our good deeds and actions toward others profiteth us nothing (I Corinthians 13). “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” or love (I Corinthians 13:13).

In the bible, the parable of the sower, describes different heart conditions of Christians within the church. God is the sower who sows his word into the hearts of mankind through his chosen shepherds and Holy Spirit. The first type of heart condition that can be found within the believer is the heart whose seed has been sown by the wayside (Matthew 13:19). “When one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which receiveth seed by the wayside” (Matthew 13:19). As soon as this believer hears the good news; the word is snatched away by evil, because they lack understanding of the word. The second type of heart condition of the believer is a stony heart (Matthew 13: 20-21). These are believers who receive the word of God with joy and as soon as trials and tribulations arise in their lives they fall away or lose hope and faith and become unfruitful. The third type of heart condition of the believer is the ones who receive the word of God among thorns. The thorns are the cares of this world: riches, possessions, and positions. These cares of the world choke the word of God out of the believer’s heart (Matthew 13:22). Their love for the things of this world; make the word unfruitful in their lives. The last type of heart condition of believers in Christ, is the heart in which the seed or word of God is sown in good ground that bears fruit (Matthew 13:23). This heart is full of the love of God. These Christians are grounded in love and get a clear understanding of the word of God when they hear it and study it for themselves.

As Christians, we must have the latter heart condition, a heart where the word of God is sown on good ground. In receiving, the word of God we must also seek understanding of the word of God. Our hearts must shift from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness.
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This article has been read 333 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laura Manley
06/04/21
I enjoyed this entry very much. It has a lot of truths voiced in it and it flows well.
Bea Edwards 
06/08/21
I agree with everything you wrote and backed up with scripture.

Praise God that His word is living and active, powerful piercing even to the dividing of soul and Spirit, joints and marrow, able to discern the thoughts and intents of our heart.

David was a man after God's heart, yet failed time and time again.

We are all works in progress...

Thank you for reminding me to shift my thinking in order to shift my heart.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/09/21
You make some great points and have Scriptures to back up each point. It might be less overwhelming for some if you focused just on a verse or two and expanded on that. But for a serious Bible study, this is a great article with many good points and explanations.
Janice Aylor
06/10/21
I enjoyed your article very much. You have many scripture references which is great.

This is a wonderful Bible study. Very well done!