Untangled From DoubtSample

Key #3 - The Heart's Ability to Receive the Word

Have you ever wondered why we are told to guard our hearts above all else? (See Proverbs 4:23).

I used to think guarding my heart meant not opening my heart to someone who wasn’t trustworthy. But I have since discovered that it is not about keeping people out, but about what I allow to enter my heart.

Our hearts are the very seat of our being. It is the meeting point between soul and spirit. As I delved deep into Proverbs 4:23 in my Strong-Lite concordance, it became clear to me how the heart creates the boundaries within which we function. In essence, we determine the extent to which God can move within us and through us by the condition of our hearts.

Jesus illustrated this when he shared the parable of the sower. You may be familiar with the story. The sower scattered seeds on different types of soil. The soils that were harder, or full of stones and thorns, did not produce a harvest. It was the good soil, the soft and receptive soil, that offered the right environment for the seed to take root and produce a crop.

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:18-23, NIV)

The condition of our hearts determines whether we receive the incorruptible seed of the Word and allow it to produce the Salvation we need.

In the first chapter of Luke, we have the same angel bringing the Word (a promise of supernatural birth) to two people–Mary and Zecharia. They both asked the same question: “How could this be?” But only one of them had a heart able to receive the promise. Gabriel had to shut Zecharia’s mouth so that he could not destroy the seed of this promise with his words of doubt and unbelief. (See Luke 1:11-20).

So, dear friend, may I ask you to stop for a moment and consider this–what is the condition of your heart?

Have you hardened certain pieces of your heart because of disappointment or pain from the past? Are there some heavy rocks or thorny weeds keeping God’s promises from taking root and producing the life you have been praying for?

Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to show you where the soil of your heart needs regeneration. Allow Him to gently remove the debris keeping the Word from growing in your heart.

Let's Pray:

Heavenly Father,

In faith, we surrender all the hardened pieces of our hearts to You. Holy Spirit, come and fall on our hearts like rain, softening the ground, so we can receive the Truth that is our rightful inheritance. We choose to forgive those who have hurt us. Forgive us for holding on to the pain and disappointment of the past.

We say: Be it unto us according to your Word!

In Jesus Name

Amen