To wait! That title makes no sense. Our actions will not do thatvanour hearts? And doesn't this mean that we must first change our hearts before our actions change? Yes and no.
We need God to change our hearts
The Bible often emphasizes that we do evil things because our hearts are evil. Jesus couldn't have been clearer: “Forfrom the heartevil thoughts arise: murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:18; emphasis mine). And that means we need God to change our hearts if we hope to live a changed life. The psalmist understood this well: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew within me a steadfast spirit!” (Ps. 51:10). So yes, we need a changed heart to avoid evil actions, and we need God to change them. But this is not the end of the story.
Our actions also shape our hearts
Jesus emphasizes that our actions also shape our hearts. Anyone who owns a smartphone immediately understands this: the more often you check your phone (action), the more often you do sowill haveto heart). Notice how Jesus puts it in these words:
Do not store up treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21; italics mine)
Notice the order Jesus uses. He doesn't say, "For where your heart is, there will your treasure be" (although that is of course true). He emphasizes the opposite: "For where your treasure is -where you invest your time, your energy, your actions– your heart will be there too!”
His point is simple: our actions shape our hearts like soft clay in the hand of a potter. Wicked deeds warp and twist our hearts into objects of horror. If we focus our time on thinking about having more and more money and focus our energy on trying to win more and more money, our hearts will become more and more greedy and lustful. Conversely, good deeds help shape and mold our hearts into objects of beauty. As we focus our time on thinking about advancing God's kingdom and focus our energy on seeking to spread His glory, our hearts will glow with a love for God that drives everything we do.
What “habits of the heart” do we practice?
And that means that Christians will be very careful about how and where they invest their time, energy and actions – as these are the things that will shape their hearts for better or for worse. Here are some questions to think about:
Am I practicing the good habits the Bible talks about for heart health: prayer, fasting, Bible reading, worship, and Christian fellowship?
What does my spending behavior, especially with my 'disposable' income, say about my priorities? Do I ever give sacrificially?
What does the way I spend my time, especially my free time, say about my priorities? Are there one or two simple changes I can make to incorporate more heart-healthy practices into my daily routine?
Naturally, we do not do the above to achieve thisserveGod's love. In Christ, God gives us his lovefrit. But we do these things becausewe want to love God more– and we know that our actions can help our hearts do just that.
Vice President of Academics
Professor of the Old Testament
Association Theological Seminary
