The Battle for the Heart

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Psalm 101 HCSB

A Davidic psalm. I will sing of faithful love and justice; I will sing praise to You, Lord. I will pay attention to the way of integrity. When will You come to me? I will live with a heart of integrity in my house. I will not set anything worthless before my eyes. I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me. A devious heart will be far from me; I will not be involved with evil. I will destroy anyone who secretly slanders his neighbor; I cannot tolerate anyone with haughty eyes or an arrogant heart. My eyes favor the faithful of the land so that they may sit down with me. The one who follows the way of integrity may serve me. No one who acts deceitfully will live in my palace; no one who tells lies will remain in my presence. Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land, eliminating all evildoers from the Lord’s city.

Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness

There is a battle happening inside each and every one of us at this very moment. A battle that will only be settled when we leave this life and enter eternity. It is the battle for our heart.

What I mean by this is that this world and Satan want our heart so very badly, and will stop at nothing to obtain it.

The good news for us today is that Jesus wants control of our heart today as well and death itself could not hold back our Savior.

But their lies the foundation of the war for our hearts. There is something deep within us that struggles with doing what is right in the eyes of God and doing what will inevitably separate us from Him.

Ephesians 6:10–13 HCSB

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Ephesians

I believe that even though there is a war raging within each and every one of us, I also believe that this passage gives us insight in how to not only resist what is worthless, but also place ourselves in a position to succeed.

1. Acknowledge the King of our Heart (1-2)

Look, if you wake up every morning already discouraged by what the day holds. Already beaten down by the addiction. You have been giving in to the wrong god.

2 Corinthians 4:4 HCSB

In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4

Victory belongs to King Jesus alone.

Deuteronomy 20:4 HCSB

For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’

David woke up every morning acknowledging that God was King and by God alone is victory.

2. Filter the Content of our Life (3-5)

David is very clear about what he will and will not entertain in his life.

The things that you keep around in your life will ultimately keep you.

“The eyes and the heart work together, for what the heart loves, the eyes will seek and find.” - Warren Wiersbe

Ecclesiastes 2:10 HCSB

All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.

Eccl

David states that he will tolerate the stuff of this world that tempts him to the extent of cutting off the people around him that are toxic.

Definition of toxic is poisonous

Definition of poisonous is: causing or capable of causing death or illness if taken into the body.

Not the language used in the passage.

i.e.: Cling

Don’t have anything to do with the things of this world.

3. Walk the Dog (6-8)

In other words, you have to be willing to get off you “do nothing” and do something about protecting yourself against things that might tempt you.

Matthew 5:29–30 HCSB

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell!

Matthew

This particular passage is referring to sexual sins, but i think that David is trying to make the same point. We have to be willing to take action against what threatens to separate us from Jesus.

That is easier said than done sometimes. Especially in terms with people that we love.

But God only wants what is best for His children. You are special to God, you are made in his image, he knows the number of hairs on your head, the bible says that it was Him who fashioned you in your mothers womb.

In light of what Jesus did, what does it mean in our own life to give him our WHOLE heart.

Deuteronomy 4:24 HCSB

For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Deutoronomy

God is not interested in sharing you with anyone, especially Satan, the god of this world.

Response