The Battleground of the Heart
The Battleground Of The Heart
Ephesians 6:5-9
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Introduction:
W. E. Vine, writer of the Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words said: “In Scripture, the heart came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and emotional elements.”
- In the physical sense, the Head and the Heart are the most important areas in need of protection.
- In the spiritual sense, the Mind (head) and the Emotions (heart) are the most important areas in need of protection.
- In Ephesians 6, the “helmet of salvation” and the “breastplate of righteousness” are two main ingredients…
There is a close relationship between the mind and emotions. However emotions are from the will, the heart, and not just from the head!
Emotions = Strong feelings that prepare the body for immediate vigorous
action
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1. The HEART can have GOOD and BAD Emotions:
A. BADEmotions from the Heart
1) The heart produces evil thoughts:
Matthew 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?
Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
2) The heart knows bitterness:
Proverbs 14:10 The heart knows its own bitterness…
3) We can despise with the heart.
2 Samuel 6:16 "She despised him in her heart"
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B. GOODEmotions from the Heart
1) The Bible heart believes.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2) With the heart we love,
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
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3) The heart rejoices.
Psalm 33:21 For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
2. We Must Fight Against Sins Of Action As Well As Sins
Of The Heart.
A. Most Christians stand firmly against sins of actions:
(adultery, homosexuality, thievery, murder, drunkenness, drugs, etc.)
B. But they do not guard the sinful attitudes and emotions of the
heart with equal diligence.
(rebellion, gossip, pride, arrogance, anger, lying, contention, strife, slander, backbiting, etc.)
1) The Bible puts them ALL together:
Galatians 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
2) The Bible tells us that attitudes, emotions, and actions come
from the heart:
Mark 7:21-23 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
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3) We must commit our attitudes, emotions, and actions to
God daily!
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31 “…I die daily.” - [sanctification]
a) We must make a choice:
Matthew 22:37-38 7 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment.
b) Just like taking care of ourselves physically (shower,
brushing our teeth, and changing our Clothes) we
have to deal with our actions, attitudes and emotions!
- We must do it for ourselves
– no one can do it for us!
C. Many open their heart (attitudes & emotions) to bitterness:
Hebrews 12:14-15 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
3. We Can Defend Satan’s Attack Against Our Heart!
Peter 5:6-9 [Keep your Bible open right here…]
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
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A. We must learn how to humble ourselves.
1) Humble OURLELVES?
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
2) It’s a CHOICE!
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
B. We Must Learn How To Be Sober And Alert!
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1) Being “Sober” here does not refer to drunkedness or
Intoxication
2) Here “Sober” means = being constantly aware, alert,
vigilant…
We often forget our real adversary. It is not a leader, the school teacher, a cantankerous co-worker, or our mother-in-law! It’s the devil!
3) Satan intimidates us with his “roar”
a) He is like the lion in the cage at the zoo!
b) He can’t bother you until YOU open the door!
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C. We Must Learn How To Resist!
1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1) Resist by being steadfast in the faith
Steadfast = unwavering; persistent; committed; firm
2) Know that all of us fight the same battle…
Conclusion:
1) Satan has three kingpins of attack on us:
Pride
Unbelief
Fear & Worry
2) When our Heart (Attitudes and Emotions) is under control and guided
by the Holy Spirit, we can win!
3) We’ve got to decide whether to listen to satan or God?
Psalm 24:3 & 4 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4) He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Ezekiel 36:26 & 27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
A ‘soft’ heart that God can use for His glory!