If you’ve ever studied personal development, you know the majority of the focus is on mindset and its impact in our daily lives.
I agree that life reflects the mindset but that is only half the story.
The mind reflects the heart. A renewed mind begins with a cleansed heart.
Solomon proclaimed “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” Prov 23:7
Christ in rebuking the Pharisees said “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matt 12:24 Our words come from our hearts.
The heart is the picture of our true character and is clearly revealed in our thoughts, words and actions.
Christ also exclaimed after being reprimanded by the Pharisees of breaking religious protocols, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Matt 15: 1 – 20.
Why is this so important? King David’s prayer in Psalm 51 tells us.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast (right) spirit within me.” Ps 51:10
Nathan the prophet has just confronted David after his one night stand with Bathsheba which produced an unplanned pregnancy then the murder of her husband as David attempted to cover up the whole affair.
The lust in David’s heart for Bathsheba was costly. In Psalms 51 he pleads with his Heavenly Father for forgiveness and a heart free of sin.
He writes “Do not cast me away from your presence and do take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways and sinners will be be converted (turn back) to You.” Ps 51:10 – 13.
While Bathsheba was not David’s finest moment, he knows that God can use his story to teach and encourage others suffering from an diseased heart.
David’s testimony of God’s forgiveness, compassion and mercy has no doubt revived the hope and brought salvation to many even today.
A clean heart produces clean thoughts, words, habits, choices and actions.
David’s prayer required him to take ownership of his sin with Bathsheba, admitting his need to be cleansed and purified by the only One who could.
God is never changing and what He did yesterday for David He can do today for us if we simply ask.
And here is something to ponder. Our hearts can also be contaminated by who we allow access to it. Has your heart been muddied by the dirty feet of those who have passed through? Reflect on that today.
Lasting personal growth begins with spiritual growth. Always.
Your mindset and your life (and mine) simply reflect the condition of your heart.
If you are suffering from a heart infected with sin, guilt, shame, regret, bitterness or resentment, I encourage you to pray David’s simple but powerful prayer and experience a heart shift which will lead to a mental shift which leads to changed life only God can give.
“Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Ps 51:10.
Sandra Hubbard
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