An Undivided Heart

So far, we’ve looked at God’s power to transform our hearts and discovered that the power of change belongs to Him – not us. 

Today, we’re going to explore the idea of a divided heart. 

You know, it’s okay for us not to be sure about some things in life. But there’s an indecisiveness so deep that it tears us apart. And that condition is known as a “divided heart.” 

A “divided heart” is torn between God and all the other things in life that we can chase down. A heart torn between a deep desire to give our all to Him and the intense human desire to pursue the gratification this world peddles.

Jesus spoke on this very subject in Mark 3:24-25. It was in a different context, but the principle stands. He said if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 

And if our heart is divided, if our desires are pulling in two different directions, how much peace and power are we going to have in our lives? How effective are we going to be in pouring the love and grace of God out into this lost and hurting world? 

So many people want the benefits of believing in Jesus but haven’t thrown their hearts into it. They want peace and the joy of knowing Jesus. But their house, their kingdom, and their hearts are divided.

You see, God doesn’t want part of us. He doesn’t want us to be half-hearted or double-minded, tossed around. 

He wants all of us. He’s calling us today to love Him, to serve Him, to seek Him out with all our hearts. Every last little bit. Every last ounce of what we have left. That’s how much He wants us.

Yes, God wants to heal our hearts – but for Him to do that, we have to hand the whole heart over to Him so that He can heal it completely.

Because when you do, here’s His promise in return: 

“I will give them an undivided heart and a new spirit in them. I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

So, have you ever done that? Have you ever asked God to help you with that? 

Life application questions

• Why do you think the Bible talks so frequently about an undivided heart?
• Do you ever feel your heart torn between your desire to follow Jesus and the desire to chase the things of this material world?
• Here are a few “litmus test” questions to help you see if your heart is divided – or united. Am I prepared to stand alone for Jesus in this world? Am I prepared to lose everything to follow Him? Is there anything that I would not give up to serve Him?

Meditate on King David’s words:

“Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord, my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.” (Psalm 86:11-13 NIV)