The heart of the matter

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 ESV  

Jesus’ primary mission was all summed up in that scripture. That was Jesus’ assignment, and it is our assignment as well. 

If we are to be followers of Jesus who want to get the message of Jesus out there, it will take more than just good theology, it will require more than just well-learned skills and it will involve more than just a deep passion to share Jesus with the world! It will take a heart of integrity! 

It was said of David, that: With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Psalm 78:72 (ESV) The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart!

Now before we get too far along with this line of thinking let me explain the heart in this manner. The “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason, but also includes the emotions, the will, and thus, the whole inner being. The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech, sight, and conduct.

We have another word for that: Integrity – meaning, the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.

There is a word for wisdom in the Old Testament which is hakmah. It was a common word used to describe great skill. A skilled craftsman – hakmah! A skilled musician – hakmah! The writer of Proverbs captures this idea and applies it to godly living – he calls us to be skilled in godly living – to live hakmah lives! We need men and women who are filled with Jesus and living godly lives.

Solomon exhorts us in Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

The heart must be guarded because it is the wellspring (source of direction) of life! It sets the stage for our choices, attitudes and behaviors of life! ABOVE ALL ELSE!

A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A SURRENDERED HEART

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) says, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

A surrendered heart to God means a yielding, a giving up possession of our lives and recognizing we never truly had control in the first place. It's a personal decision. We choose to relinquish control and submit to the authority and power of God. A heart of integrity is a heart radically surrendered to God!

A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A SENSITIVE HEART

What is a heart that is sensitive to God?

A heart that's sensitive to God is a heart that's tuned into what God thinks, feels, and desires. This is the opposite of how most people live. Most people are primarily concerned about themselves; what they think, what they feel and what they want.

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. Galatians 5:25 (ESV) Keep your heart soft and responsive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A COURAGEOUS HEART

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 (ESV)

A courageous heart means letting one believe God's promises. Courage is always fueled by faith. Good courage is fueled by faith in the ultimate good of the real God and all he promises to be for us in Jesus.

You are more dangerous than you think you are! Jesus did not die to keep us safe…he died to make us courageous! BOLDNESS is a by-product of knowing our identity in Christ – it is about intimacy with Jesus.

In Acts 4:29 the believers prayed for Boldness: And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness

God knows who you are, the Devil knows who you are, but do you know who you are! That same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in you! If we only believed what God believes about us, it would revolutionize our lives!

In Him, you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. In Him, you were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In Him, you have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. In Him, you have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Right now, all authorities, power, and dominions are under our feet!

A HEART OF INTEGRITY IS A SPIRIT-FILLED HEART

The key to a heart of integrity is a spirit-filled heart! 

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 (ESV)

We know the downward pull of the law of sin and death but in Christ there is a new law at work within us – the law of the Spirit. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is at work in us to bring us to wholeness, dynamic spiritual health and kingdom advancing victory!

A heart of integrity is not found in trying harder but in trusting more! “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” HAKMAH!

Showing Character

Your gifts can take you somewhere, but you need character to keep you there.

When a person is very gifted, others often flock to that person. However they must have Godly character in order to remain humble, so that the ministry won't turn sour.

If you have great gifts and you are waiting for God to promote you and wondering why He doesn't, check your character. Examine your Fruit of the Spirit But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

Do you walk in love with others? John 13:34-35"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Do you purposefully look for ways to bless others and reach out to people? Luke 10:30-37 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Do you try to serve and put others first? Mark 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Psalm 15:1-5 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless

and who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,

who does his neighbor no wrong

and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man

but honors those who fear the LORD,

who keeps his oath

even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury

and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things

will never be shaken.

Do you keep your word and do what you say you will do? [notice v. 4]?

Those are the key elements of character necessary for successful, lasting ministry.

Integrity, excellence, and faith are the only things that can keep you steady in the storms of life. If you lack those, then you lack Godly character.
If you lack character, then you may end up doing more harm than good to the name of God.

Although your gifts may take you somewhere, you need character to keep you there.