Heart Inspection

There are certain requirements that a car must meet in order to pass inspection. Even so our hearts can be said to have a special checklist to follow in order to determine if they pass God's inspection.

Just as a car must be kept under strict maintenance in order to run to its fullest capacity, even so must our hearts undergo strict maintenance in order for our lives to show forth complete Victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil.

What constitutes God's checklist for our hearts in determining if we pass inspection? What criteria are absolutely necessary for our lives to operate to their fullest capacity?

Here are a few suggestions -

Are We Keeping Our Hearts Above All Keeping?

Proverbs 4:23 "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

The Scriptures admonish us about our eyes, tongue and feet:

Job 31:1 "I made a covenant with mine eyes..."
Psalm 34:13 "Keep thy tongue from evil..."
Ecclesiastes 5:1 "Keep thy foot when thou goest..."

     However, above all else, and with more care and diligence than men use over anything else, we must keep our hearts!
We must -

...watch over them and guard them with all fidelity in order to keep them from all danger
...maintain a holy jealousy of ourselves
...set a strict guard over all affections that are apt to go astray
...keep ourselves clean from the pollutions of sin
...keep out all evil thoughts and retain good thoughts.

Joshua 23:11 tells us:

Joshua 23:11 "Take good heed therefore unto yourselves..."

     "Take good heed." What does this mean? It means to vehemently, speedily, diligently, greatly, and exceedingly guard, take care, beware, refrain, abstain, hedge about, and be circumspect in keeping our hearts. Does it really take all that? Absolutely!
In 2 Samuel 22:24 David said:

2 Samuel 22:24 "I was also upright before Him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity."
Are we upright before God?
Are we:

...walking in integrity and truth?
...without blemish, undefiled, and unimpaired?
...perfect, whole, full, and complete in our walk with the Lord?
...abstaining from all appearance of evil?
...on guard against perversity and depravity ever entering into our hearts?

     Ezekiel 11:21 refers to a people whose heart "walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations..." Are our hearts pursuing the idols, filthiness, and abominable things of this world?
     Hebrews 3:10 mentions those who because they did not know God's ways were always erring in their heart. Does this speak of us? Can God approve of our doings, or are we rebelling against Him? Are we disregarding His appeal? Are we living for ourselves? Then we do always err in our hearts. We are wandering out of the way. We are being led aside from the right way. We are roaming and wandering into error and away from the Truth.

Are We On Alert Against All Unbelief In Our Lives?

Hebrews 3:12 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God."

     Since we are the "just" who live by faith, and by exercising faith in all of our doings, we seek to please God - we must at all times and in every place "take heed" lest there be in any of us "an evil heart of unbelief."
     Notice the Scriptures call it an evil, unbelieving heart. It is wicked, malicious, and grievous. We must never see it as otherwise.
     "Unbelief" is so wicked in a Christian's life. It can be the root of all evil. It can be the cause of all ills. It is the cause of all apostasy - "in departing from the living God." We must never, ever allow ourselves to distrust God. We must never, ever lose our confidence in God. "Take heed, brethren.." Beware. Regard. Consider. Discern.

Are We Treasuring God's Word As The Most Valuable Thing In Our Lives?

Psalm 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."

     God's Word constitutes the Power of God governing every Christian's life. However, it does no good for the Children of God unless it is stored up in their hearts.
     "Thy Word have I hid..." God's Word is to be stored up, hoarded, and laid up as the most valuable of all treasures.

Job 22:22 "Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart."
Psalm 37:31 "The law of his God is in his heart..."
Psalm 40:8 "...yea, Thy law is within my heart."
Proverbs 2:1 "My son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee."
Proverbs 2:10 "When wisdom entereth into thine heart..."
Jeremiah 15:16 "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart..."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..."

     Proverbs 23:26 says - "My son, give me thine heart..." God desires our hearts to be devoted, consecrated, and dedicated unto Him. When we do so, we will "observe His ways" and live pleasing unto Him.

In this message we have considered "three major steps" in maintaining our lives for the Lord. If we adhere to this checklist, we will be making sure our walk with God is prosperous, be more successful, and live our lives to the fullest for God's Glory, Honor, and Praise.
We will be sure to pass God's Inspection!

If you have not already done so, please consider trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. For more information on Salvation Click Here to view "How can I get to Heaven?"

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Last modified: 12/04/2002