You know all those things we are supposed to do as followers of Christ. Do not make assumptions that everyone knows what those things really mean. But what do these things really mean? No wonder people are so confused about how to walk in faith. Even saying that leaves questions if it is not clearly defined, “walk in faith?” So let’s check out what it means for one to be believing with the heart.
What Does That Mean
Okay, so you need to be believing with the heart. You also need to pray harder. And you should have more faith. Oh, and you should be more bold. What does all of this, these phrases, these words, really mean? And there are many other phrases we use without defining what the phrase means or what we really mean when we use them.
One phrase that is way over-used for example, “It is what it is!” Now what does that mean? Of course it is what it is. What else would it be? And what do we really mean when we say that?
What Does It Mean “Believing With The Heart”
When we say that we should believe with the heart, I think what we are really saying is to NOT believe with your head or your mind. Our mind clouds things, the Word of God, with all kinds of filters we’ve built over the years.
Peter tells us in God’s word that it is NOT our outward person or being that is so important, or even our mind, but the heart:
I Peter 3:4 NASB
but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
Paul tells us, if we look closely at this next verse, about the real us – the spirit man (woman) inside us:
2 Corinthians 5:1 AMP
For we know that if the earthly tent [our physical body] which is our house is torn down [through death], we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
The key word here is OUR. ‘Our’ is referring to the owner. The owner has an earth suit, an earth tent. So what, or who, is the ‘Our’ here? It’s our spirit. This is digging much deeper in the Word, but we are a Spirit who has a soul (our mind) and a body (our temporary earth suit).
Feed Your Spirit (Hint: Your Heart)
Just like we need to learn (feed our mind) and just like we need to nourish ourselves (feed the body), we need to feed our spirit (with the Word of God). As we do, it becomes that hidden (treasured) word of God in our heart:
Psalm 119:11a NIV
I have hidden your word in my heart…
To go 7 days without the Word of God makes one weak (pun intended)
So our Faith is a product of the heart, not our head (our mind). So let me review: Our Spirit-man has a body and a soul. We often call our spirit, the heart of who we are. It’s our spirit-man that lives eternally. Our soul is closely related – that’s our mind. Our spirit and soul is housed in our earth suit. This earth suit is only temporary.
It’s our mind that needs renewed continually with the Word of God. The Word of God feeds our spirit-man causing us to become stronger spiritually and bringing our mind continually more in line with our spirit and the Word of God.
I like sharing music when it fits. So as you listen to this song by Petra, The Coloring Song, keep in mind that as we talk about the word of God, that Jesus IS the living Word of God.
I really like this heart thing! I think I will come back to it on my next devo blog post and dig into it a little more. In the meantime:
Challenge of the Week
God’s Word is Life! If that is true, and would say you agree, then let’s feed on it. For the next 7 days feed on God’s Word. Take it in daily. At the end of 7 days, comment below and tell me if you feel stronger or more weak after 7 days. If God’s Word is Life, then let’s live…on it. So be it!
