1. The Inward Man
The Bible emphasizes that the inward man will determine what a person truly is (1 Sam. 16:7; Lk. 6:43-45; 2 Pet. 2:14).
Christians should pray, and strive toward strengthening the inward man with zeal (Eph. 3:16).
This lesson aims to help, with an emphasis on preparing one’s heart.

2. Strengthening the Inward Man
(Preparing the Heart)

3. Keep thy Heart with all Diligence
A spring of water (Prov. 4:23).
Things that involve the heart & shape us:
What we do (Prov. 1:10-19; 1 Tim. 6:9; Matt. 15:18-20; Dan. 9:3-5; Phil. 4:8 Lk. 10:38-42).

4. Keep thy Heart with all Diligence
A spring of water (Prov. 4:23).
Things that involve the heart & shape us:
What we do.
How we react to things (Gen. 4:1-15; 9:18-27; Gen ; Matt. 27:3-10, 69-75; Jn. 21:15-19).

5. Keep thy Heart with all Diligence
A spring of water (Prov. 4:23).
Things that involve the heart & shape us:
What we do.
How we react to things.
What we do about what we are (1 Pet. 2:21-23).

6. Keep thy Heart with all Diligence
A spring of water (Prov. 4:23).
Things that involve the heart & shape us:
What we do.
How we react to things.
What we do about what we are.
Significance: We cannot help what we’ve been, but with every new decision, we can determine what we will be (Rom. 12:2).

7. Keep thy Heart with all Diligence
David said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10).
Some things must be done away with.
Home renovation: Mere paint will not fix something fundamentally rotten.
When it comes to strengthening the inner man, the first thing we must do is prepare our hearts!

8. The Way we Prepare our Hearts
Fill our hearts with the right information (Jn. 8:32; 1Pet. 1:14; Phil. 4:8).
Create in our hearts the right attitudes (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:13).
We must change the way we think (Eph. 4:18-19).
We must change the way we do (Eph. 4:17).

9. The Way we Prepare our Hearts
We must change the way we respond (Matt. 5:38-48; Rom. 12:17).
Must change the disposition of wrath and anger (Eph. 4:27-27; Jas. 1:19-20).
Change pride & hardheadedness (Rom. 12:3).
Change selfishness (Phil. 2:4).

10. Conclusion
To have the right kind of life, and the right kind of relationship with God:
We must deliberately prepare our minds and hearts, per the instructions God has given in His word (Acts 26:20; 2 Cor. 6:2)!