Transforming the Heart: From Deceit to Purity

Devotional

Day 1: The Heart Without Jesus Is Deceitful and Desperately Wicked

The Bible teaches that our hearts, apart from Jesus, are not to be trusted—they are deceitful and desperately wicked, leading us astray if we simply "follow our heart" as the world suggests. Instead of relying on our own feelings and desires, we must recognize the need for transformation and not be fooled by the idea that our natural inclinations are always good or trustworthy. This understanding humbles us and points us to our need for God’s intervention and grace in our innermost being. [09:00]

Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to trust your own feelings or instincts over God’s truth, and how can you invite God to reveal where your heart may be deceiving you today?

Day 2: God Offers a New Heart and a New Spirit

God does not leave us with our old, broken, or hardened hearts; instead, He promises to give us a new heart and a new spirit, removing our heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh that is sensitive to Him. This divine heart transplant is a work of grace, making us capable of loving, obeying, and seeking after God in ways we never could on our own. When we surrender our hearts to Him, He renews us from the inside out, enabling us to live in alignment with His will and purposes. [22:59]

Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God to soften or renew your heart, and will you ask Him today to begin that transformation?

Day 3: Purity of Heart Leads to Seeing God

A pure heart is not something we can achieve on our own; it is the result of God’s ongoing work in us as we surrender to Him, ask for His cleansing, and take our thoughts captive. Purity involves removing the impurities and distractions that cloud our hearts, so that God’s reflection can be seen in us and we can experience deeper intimacy with Him. As we pursue purity, we are promised the incredible blessing of seeing God more clearly in our lives. [25:21]

Matthew 5:8 (ESV): "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to guard your heart from impurity and invite God to make your heart more like His?

Day 4: Seek God with All Your Heart

God calls us to seek Him wholeheartedly, not half-heartedly or with divided loyalties. When we pursue Him with all our heart, we find Him, experience His presence, and align our will with His. This kind of seeking requires intentionality, time in prayer, and a willingness to obey whatever He reveals, trusting that He is faithful to meet us when we come to Him with sincerity and devotion. [29:16]

Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek God with your whole heart today—what specific time, place, or practice will you set aside to pursue Him?

Day 5: Guard Your Heart with All Diligence

Our hearts are the wellspring of life, shaping the seasons and direction of our lives, so we are called to guard them diligently. This means being vigilant about what we allow into our hearts—through our thoughts, what we watch, listen to, and dwell on—and relying on God’s righteousness to protect us from the enemy’s attacks. By putting on the breastplate of righteousness and living in obedience, we keep our hearts aligned with God and ready for every good work He has prepared for us. [37:13]

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."

Reflection: What is one influence or habit you need to change or remove in order to better guard your heart and keep it focused on God?

Sermon Summary

Last week, we explored the origins of our thoughts—how they can come from God, the enemy, or ourselves, specifically from our soul, which includes both the mind and the heart. Today, the focus shifts to the heart, a subject the Bible addresses with great depth. The world often tells us to “follow your heart” or “speak your truth,” but Scripture paints a more complex picture. The heart, in its natural state apart from Jesus, is described as deceitful and desperately wicked. Yet, God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance, and offers hope for transformation.

The heart is the core of our being—where our will, emotions, and desires reside. While the world’s advice is to trust our instincts and follow our feelings, the Bible warns that unchecked emotions and desires can lead us astray. Instead, we are called to take our thoughts and feelings captive, to avoid rash decisions, and to seek wisdom. The concept of a hardened heart is a sobering one, illustrated by Pharaoh’s repeated refusals to heed God’s warnings. A hardened heart resists God, but the opposite—a softened, contrite heart—is open to His leading, forgiveness, and healing.

God draws near to the brokenhearted and promises to heal and bind up their wounds. True contrition goes beyond a simple apology; it is a deep, genuine sorrow that seeks to make things right. For those in Christ, there is the promise of a new heart and a new spirit. God does not leave us with a wicked heart; He offers a spiritual heart transplant, renewing us from the inside out. Our responsibility is to give our hearts to God, to let Him purify and strengthen them, and to seek after Him wholeheartedly.

Purity of heart is essential. Just as gold is refined by removing impurities, so our hearts must be purified so that God’s reflection can be seen in us. This requires ongoing surrender, prayer, and a willingness to let God remove what does not belong. We are called to be people after God’s own heart, like David, whose will aligned with God’s will. This means seeking God with all our heart, trusting Him completely, and storing up treasures in heaven through eternal, kingdom-focused actions.

Guarding our hearts is vital, for from it flow the issues—or even the seasons—of life. This involves vigilance over what we allow into our hearts through our thoughts, eyes, ears, and actions. The breastplate of righteousness, as described in Ephesians, is our spiritual protection. We walk in righteousness not because of our own merit, but because of what Christ has done for us. With a new, purified heart, we can live boldly, free from condemnation, and confident in God’s transforming power.

Key Takeaways

1. The heart, apart from Christ, is deceitful and desperately wicked, making it unreliable as a guide for truth or direction. True transformation begins when we recognize this reality and surrender our hearts to God, allowing Him to renew and reshape them according to His will. Only then can our desires and motives be trusted to align with what is good and true. [09:36]
2. A hardened heart is the result of persistent resistance to God’s voice and leading, as seen in the story of Pharaoh. God offers repeated opportunities for repentance, but continual rejection can lead to spiritual callousness. The antidote is a softened, humble heart that is quick to repent, forgive, and remain open to God’s correction and guidance. [13:32]
3. God draws near to the brokenhearted and promises healing for those with a contrite spirit. True contrition is more than regret; it is a deep, genuine sorrow that seeks restoration and transformation. In our brokenness, God binds up our wounds and offers peace that surpasses understanding, making Him the ultimate source of comfort and renewal. [18:06]
4. Purity of heart is not achieved by human effort alone but through God’s refining work. Like gold purified by fire, our hearts must be continually surrendered so that God can remove impurities and reflect His image in us. This process requires vigilance, prayer, and a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him. [25:03]
5. Guarding the heart is a proactive, ongoing discipline that shapes the very seasons of our lives. It involves filtering what we allow into our minds and affections, resisting temptation, and walking in righteousness. The breastplate of righteousness—Christ’s righteousness—protects us, enabling us to live boldly and confidently as new creations, free from the accusations of the enemy. [41:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Review: Origins of Thoughts
[01:11] - The Soul: Heart and Mind
[02:22] - Protecting the Mind: Helmet of Salvation
[03:47] - Worldly Views on the Heart
[05:08] - The Heart: Figurative and Core of Being
[08:22] - Biblical Descriptions of the Heart
[09:36] - The Deceitful Heart and God’s Perspective
[12:05] - Hardened Hearts: Pharaoh and the Disciples
[14:41] - How to Soften a Hardened Heart
[16:08] - The Broken Heart and God’s Nearness
[20:26] - Hope for a New Heart
[22:59] - God’s Promise: A New Heart and Spirit
[24:18] - Purifying the Heart
[26:33] - Seeking After God’s Heart
[29:16] - Wholehearted Trust and Treasures in Heaven
[32:29] - Guarding Your Heart
[40:55] - The Breastplate of Righteousness
[43:05] - Walking in Righteousness and Boldness

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Jeremiah 17:9 — "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?"

2. Ezekiel 36:26
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

3. Proverbs 4:23
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."

Observation Questions

According to Jeremiah 17:9, how does the Bible describe the heart apart from God?
In Ezekiel 36:26, what does God promise to do for His people regarding their hearts?
What does Proverbs 4:23 say about the importance of guarding our hearts?
In the sermon, what are some ways the world tells us to treat our hearts, and how does this differ from the Bible’s teaching?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the Bible warn us not to simply “follow our hearts” as the world suggests? What are the dangers of doing so?
What does it mean to have a “hardened heart,” and how does this affect our relationship with God?
How does God’s promise of a “new heart” in Ezekiel 36:26 change the way we view our own ability to change and grow spiritually?
What does it look like practically to “guard your heart” in daily life?

Application Questions

The sermon said the heart, apart from Christ, is deceitful and unreliable. Can you think of a time when following your feelings or instincts led you away from God’s best? What would it look like to surrender your heart to God in those moments?
Pharaoh’s story was used as an example of a hardened heart. Are there areas in your life where you might be resisting God’s voice or leading? What would it take to soften your heart in those areas?
The Bible says God draws near to the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. If you are experiencing heartbreak or deep regret, what steps can you take this week to invite God’s healing? Who in your life might need you to share this comfort with them?
Purity of heart is compared to gold being refined by fire. Are there “impurities” (habits, thoughts, attitudes) you sense God wants to remove from your heart? What is one practical step you can take to surrender these to Him?
The sermon talked about guarding our hearts by being careful what we allow in through our eyes, ears, and thoughts. Is there a specific area (media, relationships, habits) where you need to be more vigilant? What boundary could you set this week?
David was called a man after God’s own heart because his will aligned with God’s will. What is one area where you want your desires to match God’s desires more closely? How can you pursue that this month?
The “breastplate of righteousness” protects our hearts. How does remembering Christ’s righteousness (not your own efforts) help you live with more confidence and less condemnation?

Sermon Clips

The world knows something about the heart. They know that's where love resides. For instance, it's one of the emotions. They know that it is part of our overall will. What we will to do comes from our heart. Our desires come from our heart. So obviously when the Bible says the heart I believe it is speaking figuratively. Figuratively. Figuratively meaning that it doesn't mean directly the muscular organ bump that's, you know, pumping blood through our bodies right now in our chest. I don't believe the Bible's only talking about that. [00:04:51]

So God gave Pharaoh six different chances, six different chances at at grace, at mercy. He gave him those chances. And I dare to say that if that had happened, there might have been more blessings for Egypt or at least less curses throughout the way. But Pharaoh hardened his heart. In Mark 5, I'm sorry, Mark 6:52. For they had not understood about the loaves because their heart was hardened. [00:13:37]

So, soften your heart. I think in this regard would mean put down your boundaries. Quit being prideful and stubborn about what God's trying to tell you. Even if you don't like it, okay, Lord, have a softened heart. That's something that we pray for people all the time. If there if there's a some kind of conflict or something like that, we pray for softened hearts. What was the message that Crystal gave one time? Aowed land, right? Something to that effect. That should be our heart, right? [00:15:29]

The Lord is near those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Contrite spirit. What does contrite mean? Anybody know? Derek, do you know contrite? It It is similar to repentant, humble. That's good. It's someone who is saying, "I did wrong and I know it. I'm contrite." remorse or re recompense. Penitent. Penitent. Okay. At the point where you're wanting to make right. Right. [00:16:14]

I found that when times have come when there's broken hearts, Sheldon's advice of prayer is is the best one. spend time with the Lord. Help him to give you peace beyond all understanding. Help him to be there to remind you who you are to remind you of the truth and help you get through it. He will not leave nor forsake us. Right? This too shall pass. God's there for us. What I don't understand is how someone who doesn't have Jesus deals with a broken heart. [00:19:28]

So I think similarly God can renew our heart. Maybe even give us his version of a heart transplant. Proverbs 23:26 says, "My son, give me your heart and let your eyes observe my way." to give our hearts to God. Let him mend it, bind it, and heal it. Make it to where it's not wicked, deceitful, make it right. After all, he's the one that made us. He's the one that designed the physical heart. He's the one that designed the body. [00:21:15]

So God can be the strength of your heart. Instead of your heart aside from Jesus, your heart alone, your heart by itself, God can be the strength of your heart. Heart transplant thing. Ezekiel 36:26, I will give you a new heart, put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will give you a new heart and a new spirit. [00:22:36]

We get to renew our mind and we get a new heart also a new spirit. It said complete transplant. Thank you Jesus. We don't have to succumb to an evil heart because we know God looks at the heart. I don't want God to look at me and see a wicked and deceitful heart. I want him to see that new heart that he's given me. What's our responsibility now that we've got these new hearts? What are our responsibility? What do we do from here? [00:23:36]

The act of purification means removing all the things that shouldn't be there, the impurities, right? So, talking about silver or gold to purify that, they heat it up, boil it in a pot, let the imperfections and the impurities float to the top and they scoop them off. Say carefully because that stuff's expensive. But they scoop off the impur impurities, right? And after that becomes pure gold or pure silver, he can look over it and see your reflection in it. God needs to be able to look at our heart and see his reflection. [00:24:28]

I think our responsibility is to keep our hearts pure. And I think that starts with what we talked about last week, taking all the thoughts captive, making sure that we're controlling those urges that we get from our heart. All the emotions that want us to go one way when we know that's not prudent. That's not good. That's not God's will. Controlling those things, building up the habits of doing right. The thing is we need to ask God to purify our hearts because really that's where the real purity is going to come from so he can do it better than we can. [00:25:59]

How amazing is it for someone to be called a man after God's owned heart? What an amazing compliment David has been given in the word of God forever. Man after God's own heart. And what does it say about David at the end of this scripture right here? What will David do? Because he has a man. He is a man after God's own heart. He will do all my will. All my will. So we know that the heart includes a portion called the will. [00:27:24]

So this means you have to be allin. You're searching for the Lord. You'll find him. You have to be allin. You have to spend the time. Spend the prayer. Seek him. Talk to him. Listen to him. Do his will. Ask him to purify you. Ask him to heal you. Bring all your concerns. Bring everything to him in prayer. All in. And if he tells you to do something, you do it all in. Whole heart. Seek him. [00:29:07]

So, those are the things we should be worried about. That means leading someone to the Lord, helping someone get closer to him, right? Yes. Yep. Giving when it hurts sometimes, right? Yeah. Those things. But it says when we do that, that shows where our heart is. Where your treasures are there. So there. Let me just read it. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So if we got treasures in heaven, we're head heavenly focused. [00:30:43]

So along the way, we talked about heart issues, a hardened heart, a broken heart, renewing or transplanting your heart. Purify seeking after the Lord. The other thing the Bible says is to guard your heart. Guard your heart. Colossians 3:15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body and be thankful that God rule your hearts. Rule essentially means that he's the king that God be completely in charge of your heart. [00:32:29]

Guard our hearts. That can look from anything from like you use the term guarding your heart a lot when we're talking about television, music, things on interwebs, right? guarding our heart, making sure that we're looking at stuff that isn't great evil for one isn't anti- good, anti- the Bible isn't going to steer us away. Steer us closer to the world than to God. Guard our hearts. We'll let that stuff in. [00:38:25]

Righteousness can help guard your heart like we're talking about, right? doing the right things. Making sure our eyes aren't looking at things they ought not to. That our ears aren't listening to things they ought not to. We're controlling our tongue, maybe even consuming things we ought not to. Righteousness. When you when you have righteousness, the darts of the enemy are going to be less effective. I'd say ineffective. If you know who you are and you know that any iniquity in you, any of those impurities we talked about have been dealt with and you can walk boldly. [00:40:57]

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