The Heart of Change Stewardship over our heart!

Heart of Change Most influential Biblical truth (after Gospel) Touches everything we do as humans Gaining a glimpse of how God made people Why we do what we do How God can be changing our hearts

Cause of conflict Pursuing the lusts of our hearts instead of lusting after God. James 4:1 “what is the source of quarrels among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?” What is the source of our behavior? Why do we do what we do?

We do what we do in our thinking, speaking, acting because we want what we want!!

Matthew 15:19 “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

James vs. Matthew James says one thing- our behavior comes from our desires Matthew says another – our behavior comes from our hearts

At a bare minimum we see that the heart contains our desires The pleasures within that James refers to are actually within the heart. The heart is the “control center” that contains our desires that motivate us to do what we do. Desires and pleasures as lusts Lusts = simply a strongly held desire

What are the intents of the heart? Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

So, we do what we do because in our hearts we want what we want. Repeat

Proverb 27:19 “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.”

Think about a recent time today, yesterday a few days ago when you were frustrated or irritated? What were you wanting?

Summary of desires Circumstances to go a certain way- frustrated and angry Loving spouse-Irritated – pleasure Physical appearance-Depressed-Look good Obedient Children-anger-easier My boss has given me a deadline- Anxiety/fear-please my boss Ease/pleasure/wealth/praise of men

2 Criteria that helps us to see when a legitimate desire becomes wrong: 1.Am I willing to sin in order to get what I want? And 2.Do I respond sinfully when I do get what I want?

What should be in our heart? What should be the utmost desire (s) and value (s) of the heart?

Consequence of Conflict Setting ourselves in opposition to God with our lusts Now when we are willing to sin to get what we want or respond sinfully when we don’t get what we want, the Bible uses some strong terms for what is going on in our heart. James 4:4

Why Adultery? What is physical adultery? What is spiritual adultery?

Questions: Why do you think the first commandment was, “Thou shall not have no other Gods before me?” Why do you think we use the term idolatry? How are we really different from OT idolatry? What is friendship with the world?

Serious terms! IDOLATRY ADULTERY ENEMY HOSTILITY

“The human spirit that dwells in you envies intensely” You will always be lusting! You just have two choices to lust after- –God or something else. –“just two choices on the shelf, pleasing God or pleasing self”

It Get’s worse! James 4:6 “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Why does James introduce Pride? Self exaltation This kind of heart is lusting of people Things as to serve self As if everything exists to serve me/self. At the root of all this is pride!

What does this verse say God will do to those who exalt themselves? –Oppose –Actively stand in opposition –Ultimately humiliate –“a humble man can never be humiliated”

Cure for Conflict Humbling ourselves to mold our desires to be more like God’s

How do we humble ourselves? Submit –”Get yourself under God” Resist the Devil – resist the satanic Draw near – to inquire of God Cleanse your hands – confession process

Questions to ask myself What is my situation? How am I responding? What am I wanting that is so important to me? What are the possible consequences to my actions? What does the Bible say about my situation and my response?

Questions to ask myself What should I be wanting? What are the possible consequences both now and in eternity of please God? What should I do now?