[Difference Makers ls] Live Heart Healthy Sampel

Hard Hearts 

If you glorify God, you mortify sin. If you rebel against God, you welcome sin. You get used to it. It no longer breaks your heart. You get a cold heart. Then, it becomes a hard heart. 

It happens in our relationships, such as in marriage. Every marriage has friction. Some seasons are easier than others, but there is always friction. Kelly, my wife, and I have this saying: “The two became one and now we are arguing over which one we became.” I think we became me. If I want something, and she wants something else, well . . . let’s do what I want. 

As the sin of selfishness sets in, the feelings of love decrease. You begin to push for what you want. When you don’t get it, you get a little upset. You start using phrases like she always, and he never, and we used to, and we need to, and they always do, and we never do. 

Next, your tone changes. Your tone is a big deal in marriage. It begins to be a different big deal. Your words are more cutting; you give subtle jabs. You become a real expert at it. You begin to just go after each other, because you are fighting over which one of you the two of you became when you became one. 

Here is what you need to learn: Just because you think it does not mean you should say it. When you are young, you think it is best to be honest, no matter how much you hurt your spouse. But that is not the best thing, that’s the dumb thing. You need a filter. After 18 years of marriage, everything I think does not need to be said; neither does everything Kelly thinks need to be said. Our desires need to be laid before the Lord. We need to say, “I am not going to be selfish,” and mean it. Sin will hinder the love in marriage, but love will hinder the sin of selfishness. You see how it works? 

God wants you to love Him. A relationship with God is not about trying to do the right thing, but about falling in love with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Then our hearts become healthy and whole, not cold and hard. 

Lord, help us to love you more; help us to not want to sin anymore.