Hard Heart Truth – Keep in Step with the Spirit

Sometimes, former procrastinators, God leads us to examine our hearts before Him.  Recently He seemed to simply throw open the door of my heart and start pointing and pitching.  He pitched out into the light ugly truth about me I never knew was there. It was a great kindness to me as His daughter.

It did not occur to me to put this off.  I woke up early with the sudden realization that I’d believed lies and made choices based on them.  I was compelled to listen to what God was revealing.  I was compelled to get out of bed and pay attention.  It was as if He shone a light into my heart and scraped off thick crusts of deception and unbelief.  Oh, the choices to sin that I have made.

I don’t want to lose the freshness of this realization.  Lord, please keep me mindful of how I willingly fell for deceit and chose against you and your ways, all the while thinking I was “doing it right.”  Instead, I enabled wrong and hurt others.  I’m embarrassed before God and those I’ve wronged by choosing idols.

Yet He is merciful. 

From my point of view, this realization was sudden.  God saw the truth for years.  He was patient with me, forbearing with my long-term disobedience.  He removed the scales from my eyes when He chose to do so.  May His heart surgery result in a tender, healthy heart fully devoted to Him.

The Holy Spirit’s work in me shows the goodness of Almighty God.  Magnify Jesus who testifies to the truth and transforms us degree by degree as we behold HIS glory! (Colossians 4:12)

The Lord prompted the following “chart” to help clarify what I needed to learn:

One example:

Choice I made – I took responsibility that was not mine regarding our children’s upbringing

Lie I believed – “It’s your responsibility to make sure everything turns out right regarding the children.”  This is not true.  God did not put that on me.  I accepted that lie from Satan.

Fruit that resulted – Pressure on me, pressure on the children, anger, lack of grace, critical spirit, lack of sensitivity, hurt relationships

Scripture truth – “Let the little children come to ME” – Jesus loves children and has a high regard for them.  He wants to teach them.  He should be their all, not me.  “Do not provoke your children to anger”   (Ephesians 6:4)  God’s thoughts and ways are higher and better than mine.  Commit them to Him.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)  “He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Praise the Lord for His excellent greatness!  Praise Him for His steadfast love and faithfulness!

What heart issue might you examine using this clarifying chart?