The condition of oneβs heart is just as important in the spiritual realm as it is in the physical realm. It is for this reason the Scriptures say so much about the heart and why Solomon wrote, βKeep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of lifeβ (Prov.Β 4:23). The spiritual condition of oneβs heart will determine how one responds to the Lord and, ultimately, it will have a huge impact on each of us in eternity.
Since God is βnot willing that any should perishβ (II Pet. 3:9) and βlighteth [or draws to Himself] every man that cometh into the worldβ (John 1:9), everyone has the option to be saved from eternal punishment. The Lord seeks with every individual to do what He did with Lydia, βwhose heart the Lord openedβ (ActsΒ 16:14): drawing him or her to a personal decision of saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. However, because many resist and refuse this internal wooing of the Lord, they remain as some to whom Paul wrote in the Roman epistle: βBut after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath andβ¦ righteous judgment of Godβ (Rom. 2:5).
Thankfully, many choose to open their hearts to the salvation God offers. Countless numbers of people have βcalled on the Lord out of a pure heartβ (II Tim. 2:22). Hosts of believers today seek to leave behind the regular practice of sin because they βhave obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered youβ (Rom. 6:17). On a daily basis, most believers pursue a walk that will please the Lord because βin singleness of heart, fearing Godβ¦[they choose to] serve the Lord Christβ (Col. 3:22-24). Many believers are βdoing the will of God from the heartβ (Eph. 6:6). Those who choose such a path do so because they are choosing to βkeep their heart with all diligence.β They do so by regularly taking in the Word of God and applying proper truth to the way they live each day.
It is, of course, possible for a believer to choose a path of sinful living. Every believer can choose to allow his heart to grow cold to the things of the Lord. For those who do, the Apostle Paul warned that, while still saved, they could reach a spiritual condition of βhaving the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of Godβ¦ because of the blindness of their heartβ (Eph. 4:18).
So,Β how is your heart today, in a spiritual sense?Β If you have made past decisions of sinfulness that have hardened your heart, you can choose to open the door of your heart and begin to live for the Lord again. You can begin today. You can begin to read the Scriptures again, talk to the Lord in prayer, and seek a church where the truths of Godβs Word are faithfully taught. If your heart has been faithfully following the Lord, βPraise His Name.β May we all seek to apply the wise counsel from Solomon to βkeep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.β source
