So how does a heart become hardened? What is the transformation process that leads to a heart of flesh?
The heart check-up shows us how to bring our heavy hearts before the Lord and have Him transform them into a heart of flesh. The first part of the check up is to consider the Hardening Process, which has four steps that often move in sequence. Each step can be solely responsible for depositing a boulder, rock, pebble, or even layers of sand, in our heart.
The Hardening Process
1. Hurts—done unto to us by others or committed by us to others or ourselves; e.g., abuse, parent’s divorce, death of a parent or sibling, drug and alcohol addiction, moving frequently, being bullied, being a bully, broken relationships
2. Believing Lies—Satan’s handiwork to get you believe wrong thoughts about yourself, others, or your circumstances; e.g., you’re not worth anything, you’re not smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough (emotionally or physically), they hate you, you deserve to be hurt
3. Rebellion—Acting out against God’s instructions; e.g., lying, stealing, cheating (on school work or a boyfriend), promiscuity, drug and alcohol use and abuse, deception with your friends or parents, attitude
4. Unforgiveness—not forgiving others nor accepting God’s forgiveness offered to you through Jesus Christ; e.g., harboring hatred or anger toward those that hurt you, your parents, your friends, not owning up to your own sin, not allowing God to forgive you and continuing to live with blame, guilt, and shame
We’ve all been through something that causes hardening of our heart. Once we’ve identified the source(s), we will be able to move into the Transforming Process, as long as we have a willing spirit to do so. There are four steps here, which often proceed from one to the next:
The Transforming Process
1. Trust God—to give you a new tender, responsive heart through the truth and with Jesus Christ as your Savior
~ Ephesians 3:17 NLT: Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.
~ Psalm 62:8 NIV: Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
2. ‘Fess Up—confess your sins and need for the Jesus to be your Savior; tell God everything
~Romans 10:9-10 NLT: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
~ Psalm 139:23-24 NIV: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
3. Right Living—repent from your sins and commit to right living
~ Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
~ Matthew 3:2 NLT: Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
4. Forgive—accept God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ and also forgive those you have sinned against you
~ Ephesians 4:32 NIV: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
~ Psalm 86:5 NLT: O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Remember, however, you will need to do a heart check-up daily. Each time a new hurt gives way to believing lies, rebellion, and unforgiveness, there will be a stone (and sometimes multiple stones) deposited in your heart. But as you choose to trust God, ‘fess up, pursue right living, and practice forgiveness, God will transform your stony heart to a heart to flesh.
For a visual picture of what the heart check-up looks like, click here…
Please feel free to email truthjourney @ optonline.net if you have any questions.
