The Scriptural Heart.

The Bible speaks a lot about our "heart". What exactly is it, and where is it? Personally, this topic has not only been an interesting one, but also an enlightening one.

Jerry Bridges, in his book, "The Pursuit of Holiness" states on pages 60 & 61, "The heart in Scripture is used is various ways. Sometimes it means our reason or understanding, sometimes our affections and emotions, and sometimes our will. Generally it denotes the whole soul of man and all its faculties, not individually, but as they all work together in doing good or evil."

"The mind as it reasons, discerns, and judges, the emotions as they like or dislike; the conscience as it determines and warns; and the will as it chooses or refuses - are all together called the heart."

Not long ago, I did a study on the Scriptural heart, here are some of what I discovered. I hope by this little study, we all can come to value what our all seeing God views when He evaluates our hearts.
 
You're a man after my own heart! :D

So, here I am, first poster again. Here’s my two cents, maybe three this time. It ain’t gonna be short, so trust me until I get to the scriptures. :(

Scientists arrogantly say our bodies only use 3% of the DNA in it. They also say the other 97% is just junk. Part of our identity crisis in how God sees us is because not only do we not believe the word of God, but it keeps us from paying close attention to the nuances He's supplied us. For that reason, I’m going to start with the science of it. The grey matter between our ears is nothing more than a judgement center. It is super busy with analyzing sensory information and making judgment calls about whether we need more adrenaline to combat the stress we have, tells us to go to the bathroom, get some sleep, solve a myriad of mathematical problems we take for granted, keeping our balance, etc. It also spends a lot of time reasoning, which is the last part of the brain to mature. Once it has chewed on something, it makes a decision, even if it’s just to stop the analyzing. Then what?

Once the brain has made a decision, it sends its conclusion to the heart. The heart takes a few moments and decides for itself if it agrees. If not, it may send that back to the brain for more analysis. Then the brain has to decide whether to take up the case again. If the heart agrees, it sends it to every single cell of the body, this decision. The pump in your chest is also a brain. This is a proven medical fact. So what is the heart then?

It is that 97% DNA. We think DNA is static and unchanging, but that is not true. Science has proven that we change our DNA based on many things, environment, food, drink, beliefs, health, etc. This is why the placebo effects work. The mind is uber powerful. Now to the scriptures.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.​

Your heart/mind/body is all the DNA within you. Unforgiveness is a terrible DNA destroyer. 20 years of unforgiveness will manifest physically in your body as a malfunction. All the negative emotions will too. This is also proven (and misunderstood) in the scriptures.

Numbers 14:18 (KJV)
The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].​

What an amazing verse! Time to dissect. "Visiting" is also the same word for deposit! The experiences of the parents are passed down to the third or fourth generation, all of it, but it's the sins of the fathers that will manifest in their children, if they are not dealt with. How? DNA. Ask an alcoholic about their parents. It's not a guarantee you'll have the same issues, only that you have to deal with that sin you are genetically sensitive to. Scientists have proven this fact by genetically programming via experience fear in mice to three generations! Sin is genetic but it's treatable. :D

So what is the heart? It is 97% of our DNA! Of which a percentage contains the word of God!

Romans 2:14-15 (KJV)
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
We can increase the amount the word of God is in our DNA, according to the scriptures:

Proverbs 7:1-3 (KJV)
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.​

Ask ANYONE if they've been hurt by something someone said negatively towards them. The lying poem, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" if testament of that. First, it's a lie, they do hurt, and it causes us to bury that hurt deep inside us and after years, it too will manifest. Forgiveness is for the offended, not the offender! (At least until they repent of their deed.) If ANY verse could be understood universally by experience is this one:

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.​

I'll stop for now, but this is a monumental subject, which you can see, I absolutely love! That is because it has practical use once understood.
 
The "heart", not the muscle that pumps our blood through our veins, but a spiritual muscle that determines who we are before our God, and people.

Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 12:35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."

I find it very interesting that Jesus, referring to the Pharisees who had made a foolish accusation against Jesus for operating in the power of the devil, instead of the Holy Spirit, sets the record straight and makes an important statement, "How can you speak good, when you are evil." Here, our Lord classified the Pharisees hearts. Since Jesus had the ability to look what was in the Pharisees hearts, He could make a truthful evaluation. You and I cannot because we don't have that ability.

I also find it interesting that Jesus refers to the heart as either "good treasure" or "evil treasure". I had never considered my heart as a treasure chest. (chest is my word) When I think of that, if there is anything good in my heart, God put it there. I'm responsible for the evil that is there. I must be diligent in asking the Holy Spirit to examine my heart and perfect that which is imperfect.

I'll add some more thoughts later. I wonder what you all have found in your thinking about your heart. Is it important? Or am I some weirdo.:rolleyes:
 
You're a man after my own heart! :D

So, here I am, first poster again. Here’s my two cents, maybe three this time. It ain’t gonna be short, so trust me until I get to the scriptures. :(

Scientists arrogantly say our bodies only use 3% of the DNA in it. They also say the other 97% is just junk. Part of our identity crisis in how God sees us is because not only do we not believe the word of God, but it keeps us from paying close attention to the nuances He's supplied us. For that reason, I’m going to start with the science of it. The grey matter between our ears is nothing more than a judgement center. It is super busy with analyzing sensory information and making judgment calls about whether we need more adrenaline to combat the stress we have, tells us to go to the bathroom, get some sleep, solve a myriad of mathematical problems we take for granted, keeping our balance, etc. It also spends a lot of time reasoning, which is the last part of the brain to mature. Once it has chewed on something, it makes a decision, even if it’s just to stop the analyzing. Then what?

Once the brain has made a decision, it sends its conclusion to the heart. The heart takes a few moments and decides for itself if it agrees. If not, it may send that back to the brain for more analysis. Then the brain has to decide whether to take up the case again. If the heart agrees, it sends it to every single cell of the body, this decision. The pump in your chest is also a brain. This is a proven medical fact. So what is the heart then?

It is that 97% DNA. We think DNA is static and unchanging, but that is not true. Science has proven that we change our DNA based on many things, environment, food, drink, beliefs, health, etc. This is why the placebo effects work. The mind is uber powerful. Now to the scriptures.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.​

Your heart/mind/body is all the DNA within you. Unforgiveness is a terrible DNA destroyer. 20 years of unforgiveness will manifest physically in your body as a malfunction. All the negative emotions will too. This is also proven (and misunderstood) in the scriptures.

Numbers 14:18 (KJV)
The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].​

What an amazing verse! Time to dissect. "Visiting" is also the same word for deposit! The experiences of the parents are passed down to the third or fourth generation, all of it, but it's the sins of the fathers that will manifest in their children, if they are not dealt with. How? DNA. Ask an alcoholic about their parents. It's not a guarantee you'll have the same issues, only that you have to deal with that sin you are genetically sensitive to. Scientists have proven this fact by genetically programming via experience fear in mice to three generations! Sin is genetic but it's treatable. :D

So what is the heart? It is 97% of our DNA! Of which a percentage contains the word of God!

Romans 2:14-15 (KJV)
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
We can increase the amount the word of God is in our DNA, according to the scriptures:

Proverbs 7:1-3 (KJV)
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.​

Ask ANYONE if they've been hurt by something someone said negatively towards them. The lying poem, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" if testament of that. First, it's a lie, they do hurt, and it causes us to bury that hurt deep inside us and after years, it too will manifest. Forgiveness is for the offended, not the offender! (At least until they repent of their deed.) If ANY verse could be understood universally by experience is this one:

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.​

I'll stop for now, but this is a monumental subject, which you can see, I absolutely love! That is because it has practical use once understood.

Wow, I found someone who loves what I love. Thank you so very much for your reply Abdicate. I believe, just from what you started, you have much to instruct all of us in this thread. I'm really looking forward to what you have on your mind. I really like the verse you posted, Proverbs 18:21. I am still pondering the truth of that verse. Wow! Death and Life, it's so, so true.
 
The "heart", not the muscle that pumps our blood through our veins, but a spiritual muscle that determines who we are before our God, and people.

Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 12:35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."

I find it very interesting that Jesus, referring to the Pharisees who had made a foolish accusation against Jesus for operating in the power of the devil, instead of the Holy Spirit, sets the record straight and makes an important statement, "How can you speak good, when you are evil." Here, our Lord classified the Pharisees hearts. Since Jesus had the ability to look what was in the Pharisees hearts, He could make a truthful evaluation. You and I cannot because we don't have that ability.

I also find it interesting that Jesus refers to the heart as either "good treasure" or "evil treasure". I had never considered my heart as a treasure chest. (chest is my word) When I think of that, if there is anything good in my heart, God put it there. I'm responsible for the evil that is there. I must be diligent in asking the Holy Spirit to examine my heart and perfect that which is imperfect.

I'll add some more thoughts later. I wonder what you all have found in your thinking about your heart. Is it important? Or am I some weirdo.:rolleyes:
Brother, could we say that our "new heart" is what we received at the new birth is Jesus Christ our new life? "...It is no longer I that lives, but Christ lives in me..." I don't think any evil can come Christ who is our heart. The "deposit" I would say is that which we speak from our mouths. It is what goes into the heart, what we speak and after after our heart is filled with abundance it comes back out, but with much more power than it did going in. It is from the heart that we have understanding of spiritual things which is our true treasure, and that is what we are sharing here on this forum.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
 
Wow, I found someone who loves what I love. Thank you so very much for your reply Abdicate. I believe, just from what you started, you have much to instruct all of us in this thread. I'm really looking forward to what you have on your mind. I really like the verse you posted, Proverbs 18:21. I am still pondering the truth of that verse. Wow! Death and Life, it's so, so true.


Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Great verse. Seems to me and as i have herd, that life and death in the power of the tongue...refer to the words that we speak. We can either choose to speak life which are God's promises and Word, or we can speak the opposite of that life....for instance if we speak what God's Word says regarding to healing, we thus receive healing...if we speak the reality of what is going on in our bodies (symptoms, caused by the devil to steal the Word of God) then we are speaking death, or sickness and disease. For the Word says that we have what we say. And the devil knows that God's ways of doing things is through the spoken Word. The same way that the earth was created.
 
You're a man after my own heart! :D

So, here I am, first poster again. Here’s my two cents, maybe three this time. It ain’t gonna be short, so trust me until I get to the scriptures. :(

Scientists arrogantly say our bodies only use 3% of the DNA in it. They also say the other 97% is just junk. Part of our identity crisis in how God sees us is because not only do we not believe the word of God, but it keeps us from paying close attention to the nuances He's supplied us. For that reason, I’m going to start with the science of it. The grey matter between our ears is nothing more than a judgement center. It is super busy with analyzing sensory information and making judgment calls about whether we need more adrenaline to combat the stress we have, tells us to go to the bathroom, get some sleep, solve a myriad of mathematical problems we take for granted, keeping our balance, etc. It also spends a lot of time reasoning, which is the last part of the brain to mature. Once it has chewed on something, it makes a decision, even if it’s just to stop the analyzing. Then what?

Once the brain has made a decision, it sends its conclusion to the heart. The heart takes a few moments and decides for itself if it agrees. If not, it may send that back to the brain for more analysis. Then the brain has to decide whether to take up the case again. If the heart agrees, it sends it to every single cell of the body, this decision. The pump in your chest is also a brain. This is a proven medical fact. So what is the heart then?

It is that 97% DNA. We think DNA is static and unchanging, but that is not true. Science has proven that we change our DNA based on many things, environment, food, drink, beliefs, health, etc. This is why the placebo effects work. The mind is uber powerful. Now to the scriptures.

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart [is] not with thee.​

Your heart/mind/body is all the DNA within you. Unforgiveness is a terrible DNA destroyer. 20 years of unforgiveness will manifest physically in your body as a malfunction. All the negative emotions will too. This is also proven (and misunderstood) in the scriptures.

Numbers 14:18 (KJV)
The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation].​

What an amazing verse! Time to dissect. "Visiting" is also the same word for deposit! The experiences of the parents are passed down to the third or fourth generation, all of it, but it's the sins of the fathers that will manifest in their children, if they are not dealt with. How? DNA. Ask an alcoholic about their parents. It's not a guarantee you'll have the same issues, only that you have to deal with that sin you are genetically sensitive to. Scientists have proven this fact by genetically programming via experience fear in mice to three generations! Sin is genetic but it's treatable. :D

So what is the heart? It is 97% of our DNA! Of which a percentage contains the word of God!

Romans 2:14-15 (KJV)
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
We can increase the amount the word of God is in our DNA, according to the scriptures:

Proverbs 7:1-3 (KJV)
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.​

Ask ANYONE if they've been hurt by something someone said negatively towards them. The lying poem, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" if testament of that. First, it's a lie, they do hurt, and it causes us to bury that hurt deep inside us and after years, it too will manifest. Forgiveness is for the offended, not the offender! (At least until they repent of their deed.) If ANY verse could be understood universally by experience is this one:

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.​

I'll stop for now, but this is a monumental subject, which you can see, I absolutely love! That is because it has practical use once understood.

As i read through everything that you have said, a christian lady and doctor..Caroline leaf, says that science backs up, the fact that our dna carries things like fear, etc... thanks abdicate for adding to this study all of your God given knowledge! I surely appreciate it and enjoy learning!
 
The "heart", not the muscle that pumps our blood through our veins, but a spiritual muscle that determines who we are before our God, and people.

Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 12:35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil."

I find it very interesting that Jesus, referring to the Pharisees who had made a foolish accusation against Jesus for operating in the power of the devil, instead of the Holy Spirit, sets the record straight and makes an important statement, "How can you speak good, when you are evil." Here, our Lord classified the Pharisees hearts. Since Jesus had the ability to look what was in the Pharisees hearts, He could make a truthful evaluation. You and I cannot because we don't have that ability.

I also find it interesting that Jesus refers to the heart as either "good treasure" or "evil treasure". I had never considered my heart as a treasure chest. (chest is my word) When I think of that, if there is anything good in my heart, God put it there. I'm responsible for the evil that is there. I must be diligent in asking the Holy Spirit to examine my heart and perfect that which is imperfect.

I'll add some more thoughts later. I wonder what you all have found in your thinking about your heart. Is it important? Or am I some weirdo.:rolleyes:


Oh no you are not some weirdo (your not blue with a long nose) sorry couldn't resist :ROFLMAO:, but you did ask.....

Anyway, i was thinking about the things that i have been taught, abut the treasure of our hearts. By renewing our minds to the Word of God, we are putting into our spiritual hearts, and building up the treasure that God or The Holy Spirit, can draw from to help us in the days that we are up against startling situations. It's like they used to say about computers...garbage in garbage out, or in a born again believer's case it would be Word of God in, Word of God out. So those times when we are faced with a situation where we do not have time to think or pray about...what comes out of our mouths....the Word of God that is stored up in our spiritual hearts, (the good aka..stored up = abundance) from Matthew 12:34b-35a.

Ooohhhh i done got happy in the Word...keep it up guys!
 
Brother, could we say that our "new heart" is what we received at the new birth is Jesus Christ our new life? "...It is no longer I that lives, but Christ lives in me..." I don't think any evil can come Christ who is our heart. The "deposit" I would say is that which we speak from our mouths. It is what goes into the heart, what we speak and after after our heart is filled with abundance it comes back out, but with much more power than it did going in. It is from the heart that we have understanding of spiritual things which is our true treasure, and that is what we are sharing here on this forum.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.


In my mind you brought up a good point...the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart and spirit when we first accept Jesus into our hearts....but if we do not develop or renew what God has placed in there it will become useless or weak. Much like if we don't develop our muscles....we will not have the strength to walk or lift things or what have you.
 
Brother, could we say that our "new heart" is what we received at the new birth is Jesus Christ our new life? "...It is no longer I that lives, but Christ lives in me..." I don't think any evil can come Christ who is our heart. The "deposit" I would say is that which we speak from our mouths. It is what goes into the heart, what we speak and after after our heart is filled with abundance it comes back out, but with much more power than it did going in. It is from the heart that we have understanding of spiritual things which is our true treasure, and that is what we are sharing here on this forum.

Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Mat 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Exactly! We have a new heart... the mind makes a judgment call and it goes to the heart for concurrence. Under the old man (still lurking in our DNA), experience was the only point of reference the heart had to make an informed judgment call. The new heart (New Man, Col 3:8-10) now has God Almighty as a valid source to make judgment calls. Before we only had our experience to make a call whether XYZ was a good idea or not. If you’ve never experienced XYZ how could you make an informed decision? Now, if we choose to filter our decisions through the New Man via the Holy Spirit, we can have the Creator of the Universe give us the right informed decision without ever having experienced XYZ. The mind is renewed with these facts, because the Holy Spirit will never lie, 1 John 2:27. Those experiences are stored into our DNA which causes us to misjudge things - remember the experiential decisions of old are stored in our DNA. If we do not consciously filter our decision through the Holy Spirit we can save a bad decision in our DNA. For example (please don’t hijack the thread on this) but people dump the idea of tithing because “it was in the OT” and they rob God. Tithing is our rent for living on earth and breathing is air. You don’t want to be evicted. :) (Not my joke but from a preacher I heard.) Anyhow, because we heard Jesus fulfilled all the law and that we’re no longer under the law, which was in the OT, our flawed thinking is, because tithing was in the OT we don’t need to do it. This decision is stored in our DNA and we wonder why we don’t have blessings from God even though we’re His children. Tithing was instituted 400 years before the law was given.

Anyhow, the truth is we must learn to use the Holy Spirit to filter our experiences through otherwise we still live off of experiences. Here’s an example: you have an enemy at work/school/club/whatever and no matter what you do, you can’t stand them because “they wronged me” about whatever. We’ll take our experience and store the decision that “they’re just a bad person” in our DNA. That decision affects how we deal with them, if at all. If we, in the decision making process, inquire of the Lord, He might say “They lost their mother, girlfriend, and dog, all within the same month. This is why they’re bitter. They need your love and understanding.” Jesus proclaimed “Forgive them! They know not what they do.” They had no real understanding about Jesus and they made the decision that He was going to take away their power and authority. So while in authority, killed Him.

Another example is Sarah: she heard God’s promise and when it didn’t happened on her time table thought (made the decision) to help Him along, and gave Hagar to Abraham… and look what that decision did to the world thousands of years later! I hope this helps.
 
As i read through everything that you have said, a christian lady and doctor..Caroline leaf, says that science backs up, the fact that our dna carries things like fear, etc... thanks abdicate for adding to this study all of your God given knowledge! I surely appreciate it and enjoy learning!
My pleasure and all Glory to God for He's the teacher :)
 
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Great verse. Seems to me and as i have herd, that life and death in the power of the tongue...refer to the words that we speak. We can either choose to speak life which are God's promises and Word, or we can speak the opposite of that life....for instance if we speak what God's Word says regarding to healing, we thus receive healing...if we speak the reality of what is going on in our bodies (symptoms, caused by the devil to steal the Word of God) then we are speaking death, or sickness and disease. For the Word says that we have what we say. And the devil knows that God's ways of doing things is through the spoken Word. The same way that the earth was created.

My good friend Cturtle. Your words are so very true. You say, "For the Word says that we have what we say" oh boy, that phrase still jabs me with caution. When I first heard that, back in the 70s, it opened my eyes to a real benefit and a real danger. The Pentecostal friend who told me about what my words do, it had a huge impact in my life. I decided right then that I would try always to build people up, rather than tear people down with my words.

Thank you for reminding me of my words. Love you!
 
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Great verse. Seems to me and as i have herd, that life and death in the power of the tongue...refer to the words that we speak. We can either choose to speak life which are God's promises and Word, or we can speak the opposite of that life....for instance if we speak what God's Word says regarding to healing, we thus receive healing...if we speak the reality of what is going on in our bodies (symptoms, caused by the devil to steal the Word of God) then we are speaking death, or sickness and disease. For the Word says that we have what we say. And the devil knows that God's ways of doing things is through the spoken Word. The same way that the earth was created.
There is no doubt God framed the world with his Words and we also are framing our life, and world with our words based on God's Words.
 
Oh no you are not some weirdo (your not blue with a long nose) sorry couldn't resist :ROFLMAO:, but you did ask.....

Anyway, i was thinking about the things that i have been taught, abut the treasure of our hearts. By renewing our minds to the Word of God, we are putting into our spiritual hearts, and building up the treasure that God or The Holy Spirit, can draw from to help us in the days that we are up against startling situations. It's like they used to say about computers...garbage in garbage out, or in a born again believer's case it would be Word of God in, Word of God out. So those times when we are faced with a situation where we do not have time to think or pray about...what comes out of our mouths....the Word of God that is stored up in our spiritual hearts, (the good aka..stored up = abundance) from Matthew 12:34b-35a.

Ooohhhh i done got happy in the Word...keep it up guys!

Oh my goodness Cturtle. You said, "So those times when we are faced with a situation where we do not have time to think or pray about...what comes out of our mouths....the Word of God that is stored up in our spiritual hearts, (the good aka..stored up = abundance) from Matthew 12:34b-35a." Even at my age and years with my Master, I still have a weakness for uttering words that I don't mean to say when a spontaneous event happens and no time to think.

Thanks for the reminder.
 
In my mind you brought up a good point...the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart and spirit when we first accept Jesus into our hearts....but if we do not develop or renew what God has placed in there it will become useless or weak. Much like if we don't develop our muscles....we will not have the strength to walk or lift things or what have you.
I agree we need to exercise our spiritual senses, and renew our carnal mind so that both the mind of Christ which dwells in our heart and our renewed mind that is in our head have agreement.

1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
 
My good friend Cturtle. Your words are so very true. You say, "For the Word says that we have what we say" oh boy, that phrase still jabs me with caution. When I first heard that, back in the 70s, it opened my eyes to a real benefit and a real danger. The Pentecostal friend who told me about what my words do, it had a huge impact in my life. I decided right then that I would try always to build people up, rather than tear people down with my words.

Thank you for reminding me of my words. Love you!

God has been teaching me this principle in many areas of my life. In Deut. 30:19....God gives us the choice to choose life or death....and encourages us to choose life..that we and our seed may live. Well in my mind the Word of God is my life. And Jesus is my life and the Truth of the Word, thus made flesh....so if i imitate Him, speaking only what God has said...then it is the Father that dwells within me that does the works, that He so graciously gives me the credit for doing....... how cool is that. Getting credit for obeying God, and it is really God that does the works.

You my friend are a super example of how to gently instruct people in the ways of God! Especially when they are coming against you. I have never seen you get in a bad attitude, even when it is clear that you are frustrated.

The Lord love you and bless you beyond all that you could ever ask or think Chopper! And thanks!
 
Exactly! We have a new heart... the mind makes a judgment call and it goes to the heart for concurrence. Under the old man (still lurking in our DNA), experience was the only point of reference the heart had to make an informed judgment call. The new heart (New Man, Col 3:8-10) now has God Almighty as a valid source to make judgment calls. Before we only had our experience to make a call whether XYZ was a good idea or not. If you’ve never experienced XYZ how could you make an informed decision? Now, if we choose to filter our decisions through the New Man via the Holy Spirit, we can have the Creator of the Universe give us the right informed decision without ever having experienced XYZ. The mind is renewed with these facts, because the Holy Spirit will never lie, 1 John 2:27. Those experiences are stored into our DNA which causes us to misjudge things - remember the experiential decisions of old are stored in our DNA. If we do not consciously filter our decision through the Holy Spirit we can save a bad decision in our DNA. For example (please don’t hijack the thread on this) but people dump the idea of tithing because “it was in the OT” and they rob God. Tithing is our rent for living on earth and breathing is air. You don’t want to be evicted. :) (Not my joke but from a preacher I heard.) Anyhow, because we heard Jesus fulfilled all the law and that we’re no longer under the law, which was in the OT, our flawed thinking is, because tithing was in the OT we don’t need to do it. This decision is stored in our DNA and we wonder why we don’t have blessings from God even though we’re His children. Tithing was instituted 400 years before the law was given.

Anyhow, the truth is we must learn to use the Holy Spirit to filter our experiences through otherwise we still live off of experiences. Here’s an example: you have an enemy at work/school/club/whatever and no matter what you do, you can’t stand them because “they wronged me” about whatever. We’ll take our experience and store the decision that “they’re just a bad person” in our DNA. That decision affects how we deal with them, if at all. If we, in the decision making process, inquire of the Lord, He might say “They lost their mother, girlfriend, and dog, all within the same month. This is why they’re bitter. They need your love and understanding.” Jesus proclaimed “Forgive them! They know not what they do.” They had no real understanding about Jesus and they made the decision that He was going to take away their power and authority. So while in authority, killed Him.

Another example is Sarah: she heard God’s promise and when it didn’t happened on her time table thought (made the decision) to help Him along, and gave Hagar to Abraham… and look what that decision did to the world thousands of years later! I hope this helps.


Just wanted you to know brother abdicate, that your examples have helped me to understand things a little bit deeper. And have blessed me greatly! To have gotten to see the wisdom that God has imparted to you is truly a blessing!

Sarah and hagar, are a good example of someone trying to do things in their own strength, apart form God. Blessings to you in abundance!
 
I agree we need to exercise our spiritual senses, and renew our carnal mind so that both the mind of Christ which dwells in our heart and our renewed mind that is in our head have agreement.

1Jn 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
1Jn 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.


Thinking about the verses you gave, reminds me that if we allow ourselves to concentrate on the sins, that so easily beset us, our own hearts will condemn us...and it makes it more difficult to hear God, and be successful in our daily walk with Christ. Cuz we are to busy concentrating on ourselves instead of what Christ has done for us, and what His Blood has done to redeem us.

Thank You for your wisdom, and for sharing it!
 
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