There’s probably nothing worse than the feeling of your heart shattering into a million pieces like tiny shards of glass. Anyone who’s lived long enough, has had the unfortunate experience of a broken heart.
The fact is, our hearts were never whole to begin with, and any human attempt at restoring it is feeble. Why?
Our hearts were broken and sinful at birth.
“For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9
Despite the fact that the human heart was designed to mirror God’s own heart (Genesis 1:27), which is perfect (Psalm 18:30); it was also created with free will. The gift of free will carries with it the opportunity to abuse it, as did Adam and Eve in the garden.
God desires that we use our free will to choose to love and serve Him. When we stubbornly refuse to follow God, our hearts, which were designed to commune with God, are hardened like stone (Zechariah 7:12). With a heart of stone, it’s impossible to repent, to love God, or to please Him (Romans 8:8). In fact, the hearts of sinful humanity are so hardened that we cannot even seek God on our own (Romans 3:11). That’s why Jesus said no one can come to Him unless the Father first draws him (John 6:44).
Because our hearts were designed to contain God, if He’s not filling that space, something else is! And that something is and always will be, substandard.
Do you need a new heart?
The truth is, every human being desperately needs a new heart, for we are unable on our own to soften our hard hearts. A change of heart toward God requires a supernatural transformation. Jesus called it being “born again” (John 3:3).
When we’re born again, God does something miraculous—a heart transplant!
This is what that looks like:
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:26-27
How To Get A New Heart
ADMIT, BELIEVE, CHOOSE
Admit you’re a sinner in need of a new heart
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
Choose to follow Christ and put your faith in Him alone.
“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13
YOUR TURN: PRAY to God:
- Tell Him that you admit that you are a sinner, and that you’re sorry for breaking His Law.
- Tell Him that you believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for your sin.
- Tell Him that you commit to stop living your life for yourself, and to start living it for Him.
DOES A CHRISTIAN NEED A NEW HEART?
The Bible tells us that if you have been born again, then Jesus has given you a new heart and His Spirit now resides there. This means our hearts are now good! But maybe you’re not feeling that your heart is good. Perhaps you feel your heart has become hardened.
Join me next Monday for:
The Warning Signs of a Hard Heart
I want to heart from you! Do you have a prayer request? Let me know in the comments below or email to: beckielindsey16@yahoo.com .
If you prayed to follow Christ and receive a new heart, tell us about it in the comments below or email me.
Beautiful post, Beckie! Yes, I do have a prayer request: My son, Daniel, once accepted Jesus into his heart, but has fallen away from the faith. Would you pray with me that God renew and cleanse Daniel’s heart so he can begin once again to let the Holy Spirit work in his life.
Thanks, and many blessings to you!
Martha, I’m honored to join you in prayer for your son, Daniel.
Lord Jesus, I join Martha in prayer for her son, Daniel. Because of your great love and grace for him, please open the eyes of Daniel’s heart to see how much he needs you. Use whatever and whomever to show Daniel how much he’s loved. Soften his heart to hear your message of redemption and to ask you to be Lord over his life again. Block the enemy’s lies and use what was meant for harm in Daniel’s life for Your good, Father. In Jesus’ great name, Amen!
Thanks for preaching the Gospel so powerfully through this post and for joining us at the #LMMLinkup.