Mathew 9:4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?

This week, we will discuss The Heart’s Intellectual-Spiritual Functions and Bible verses about the heart. The heart thinks (Matt 9:4; Mark 2:8), remembers, reflects, and meditates (Psalm 77:5-6; Luke 2:19). More specifically, just as the eyes were meant to see and the ears to hear, the heart is meant to understand, to discern, and to give insight.

God knows our hearts. He knows all our hidden sins, our darkest secrets, and our deepest fears. God understands our personality, tendencies, and habits. He knows our silent thoughts and the prayers we are too afraid to whisper. This should evoke both great fear and great hope. We should tremble before such a mighty and holy God who understands how utterly wicked we are and how far removed from Him we stand. At the same time, we should rejoice and praise Him who knows our hearts.

“The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos.” A.W. Tozer

Overcoming Spiritual Comfort Zones

Imagine the paralyzed man on his mat. He was probably used to it. His friends were used to seeing him on it and to helping him get around on it. Maybe the paralyzed man was even comfortable. But Jesus said to him, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Now think about the fear the man felt as he stood up for the first time. Would his legs give out? Would he fall flat on his face? Was this a joke? Would he be tricked? Would he be embarrassed? The man had to have the courage to get up and to take up his mat.

All of us get comfortable with things that we know are not the best for us. It happens to everyone, Christians and non-Christians both. God says, “Get up,” and maybe I respond, “Hey, I like my mat. It is comfortable.” God’s Spirit prompts me to get up a little earlier, to get some quiet time, and I say, “No, I like my sleep.” And God says, “Get up. Do something different,” and I say, “No.” We like the mat, even though we know it is not what is best for us.

Change is hard, but difference makers know they have to change. They know they must have courage. They know they must take action. It is not easy. I try to eat right, and exercise, but sometimes I rebel. I put all this processed cheese, that good old queso, on my tortilla chips. There I am, shoving it in my arteries. There are times when I don’t want to do what is right. I want to do what is wrong. I like my mat, and that’s where I want to stay. 

It isn’t always about food. God speaks to us for our own good. You know what your mat is—that comfortable sin. Jesus tells us, like He told the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat, and go home.” The man had the courage to obey. Do we? Are we living in faith or are we living in fear? Are we getting up and walking with God, or are we comfortable on the mat? Do not stay in the comfortableness of sin. Take action. Get up. 

The main purpose of Jesus in the redemption He achieved is to liberate our hearts from sin. Our Lord Jesus has full knowledge of everything we think and feel within ourselves. Sinful thoughts are deeply rooted in evil, which greatly offends the Lord Jesus. Bible Hub