I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV).
Do we have soft or hard hearts?
The New Testament teaches consistently that the Spirit of God will give us wisdom and revelation. Below, I’ve listed my favorite “God speaks to me” verses . . .
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God (Romans 8:14, NLT).
I have not stopped asking God . . . the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:16-17, NLT).
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives (Galatians 5:25, NLT).
Why don’t we hear God’s Spirit if He is speaking constantly?
Two reasons: We haven’t trained our “heart” to hear God’s Spirit (a dull heart), or we have heard God’s Spirit and choose not to listen (a hard heart).
When “heart” is mentioned in the New Testament, most of the time, the word doesn’t refer to what’s thumping in our chests right now but our ability to hear and follow God.
It’s a metaphor for our sensitivity to God’s Spirit.
A “hard heart” means we don’t or can’t listen to God, while a “soft heart” means we hear and obey. Our decisions from a “hard heart” don’t end well, but our choices from a “soft heart” enable the blessings of God.
Remember: A hard heart is caused by disobedience . . .
That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness” (Hebrews 3:7-8, NLT).
Know: A dull heart comes from a lack of spiritual growth . . .
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen (Hebrews 5:11, NLT).
I want a “soft heart,” not a “hard heart.” What can we do?
I appreciate the tone of Hebrews 5:14 . . .
Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
Yes, we can train our hearts to hear God’s voice. Some of us will be making “training plans” for diets, getting in shape, perhaps more education, and even plans for vacation in 2024.
How about a training plan for hearing the Spirit in 2024?
I will talk more about a proper “training plan” in tomorrow’s Interruption, but first, let’s begin an education on “heart healthy” living — not low fat and skipping sugar, but for our “spiritual heart.”
Get on Amazon now and order the best book that I’ve ever read on hearing God. It’s aptly titled Hearing God by Dallas Willard . . .
I’m serious. Do not delay. Go to Amazon right now!!!!!!