The Plague of my own Heart

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9

I’ve realized over the last few years my own heart sickness. The plague of my own heart is the desire to do or say what I want even though I know better. It’s the desire to get what I want more than what God wants for me. I want to do better spiritually, but my flesh (or carnal nature) wants what it wants as well.

What is the cure for this type of heart ailment? It’s about you and me coming to the reality that we can’t trust ourselves nor our own desires. Instead we must trust in God to lead and keep us in the right paths. This recognition alone helps us regain our spiritual footing to the healing of our hearts. How do we move towards our desired goals of pleasing God first and foremost?

Remember our first love, Jesus Christ.
“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4)

Repent of our sin and seek God’s cleansing forgiveness.
“Come now, 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 become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Redeem the time by doing the right things.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Recognize our need to connect with other believers in ministry.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Refuse our fleshly desires by feeding our spirits with truth.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Restart our Christian walk with renewed hope and faith in God.
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)