Crucified Hearts

“What the heart loves, the will chooses and the mind justifies.”

~ Ashley Null, in Thomas Cranmer’s Doctrine of Repentance: Renewing the Power to Love

Therefor, we cannot follow the natural heart, but what God has revealed in his word.

Since…

“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
“I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds.
— Jeremiah 17:9-10

As Jesus warned:

“That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”
— Mark 7:20-23

Because, “What the heart loves, the will chooses and the mind justifies”, our heart must be renewed by the regenerating and indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts are only a safe God when under the control of God’s word, Christ himself being that Word of life and light.

We are only safe in giving our hearts to Jesus.

Therefore,

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
— Colossians 3:15-17

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
— Hebrews 4:12