A CHANGE OF HEART EZEKIEL 18:31-32

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. What Is The Heart? It is the entire intellectual, mental, and spiritual being of a person. It includes: The intellect. The heart thinks. Genesis 6:5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. The heart understands. Proverbs 8:5 O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart.

The heart believes. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The emotions. The heart desires. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. The heart loves. Matthew 22:37 `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' The heart trusts.

Hebrews 4:12 Is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; The will. The heart intends. Hebrews 4:12 Is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The heart can purpose. II Corinthians 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. The heart can obey. Romans 6:17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

What Is The Condition Of The Heart? Early in life it is pure. Matthew 18:3-4 ; 19:14 "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'' When sin enters, the heart is poisoned. Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; To see God, the heart must be changed. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

What Does A Change Of Heart Involve? We must change every faculty of the heart. The intellect must change in reference to sin. Acts 26:18 `To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.' Our affections must change. Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The will must also be changed. Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. The will must also be changed. The heart must now yield to Jesus and righteousness instead of yielding to Satan and sin. Romans 6:13-16 Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you yield yourselves to any one as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Before it was, “What do I want to do?” Now it’s “What will You have me to do, Lord?” This is repentance. A change of heart. Choosing to do what you once rejected. Matthew 21:28-31 "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, `Son, go, work today in my vineyard.‘ He answered and said, `I will not,' but afterward he repented and went. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.

What Is The Power That Changes The Heart? The heart has no power to change its self. An outside power must enter and operate, driving out the poison, changing the heart. God, who made the heart, can change the heart. Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together,'' says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” What is God’s power? His word, the gospel of Christ.

John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 15:3 "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. James 1:21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

But only through the agency of the word. Doesn’t the Spirit change the heart? Yes But only through the agency of the word. II Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. The heart that accepts the word by faith and is obedient to it is changed, purified, made new. Acts 15:9 And made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Galatians 5:6-7 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? I Peter 1:22-23 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

DOES YOUR HEART NEED CHANGING?

Given by David Hamlin on March 15, 2009 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org