Seeking Jesus First Apr. 28, 2025

How do we keep our heart honest regarding the things of God?

“How can a young man cleanse his way (keep His way pure)? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:9–11, NKJV)

Keep your heart with God’s word. Without God’s word active in our hearts, our hearts will justify all manner of wickedness. The heart is the seat of the inner man (the soul and the spirit). The soul is the mind, the will and the emotions.

The spirit of the one who has placed their faith in Christ is one spirit with The LORD. However, the soul must renewed. Our mind needs God’s word. Our emotions need God’s love. And our will needs The Holy Spirit. Our mind, will and emotions must be submitted to The Word of God and to Holy Spirit. This filling floods our hearts with the love of God. Through these and through our faith, we can have a pure heart. Through our faith, we overcome the world.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14–24, NKJV)

Listen very carefully, we can not tell unbelievers to obey God’s word. On the other hand, a follower of Christ Jesus only walks in freedom and victory when He keeps God’s word.