The Heart: Where God Meets Us
In our daily meditations, we focus on the most well-known teachings of Lord Jesus, known as The Sermon on the Mount. We now reach a particularly valuable section where Jesus offers practical advice on how we should behave, think, and understand where true behavior begins. He emphasizes that real change must happen in the heart, where God encounters us. As children of God, we must learn to align our hearts with the Father's. Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) advises us, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” These springs originate in our decision-making and thoughts. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for heart (levav) consistently refers to thoughts and intentions, while the term for soul (nephesh) encompasses the entire being — body and mind. Many Scriptures connect the heart, mind, and thoughts to the soul, sometimes using them interchangeably.
Understanding the Soul: Mind, Will, and Emotions
As a child in England, I received picture comics each week. My favorites were Beano and Dandy. When Dennis the Menace faced a decision between being good and doing bad, a comic demon would appear alongside him, complete with horns, cloven feet, and a pitchfork. He was always depicted as trying to coerce Dennis the Menace into doing something wrong, while a saintly figure in a white cloak, with a ring above his head, stood on the other side, reminding him to forgive and do good. These comics illustrate the struggle within our minds and inner beings over whom we will listen to and obey as we navigate this sinful world system.
The Spiritual Battle Within
The inner part of us—the immaterial aspects such as our minds, will, emotions, and conscience—is what Scripture calls the soul of man. When we listen to and follow dark thoughts, our souls can be shaped and influenced by dark spirits operating in the unseen realm. King David captured this in his well-known Shepherd Psalm 23: “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3, ESV; emphasis added).
How Jesus Restores a Troubled Soul
You may have had times of darkness when peace was absent, and your thoughts were tormented by evil forces. I trust you have begun to walk with the Lord Jesus Christ, for no one can restore your soul, mind, will, and emotions quite like He can. How does the Lord Jesus bring peace to a troubled soul? First, we must fully surrender to the Lord Jesus, and then He begins the process of restoration and transformation. The Sermon on the Mount teaches us how to walk with Christ and avoid grieving the Holy Spirit of God, who dwells within the believer. The Lord Jesus addresses not only outward sins but also the roots of sin itself. He speaks of the kind of anger that demeans another’s character:
Beyond Surface Sins: Dealing with the Root of Anger
21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:21-24; emphasis added).
The Lord has a way of getting beyond surface issues to reach the root of problems that affect us at our core. Committing the sin of murder is terrible, but the Lord Jesus condemned even entertaining thoughts of violence against another. Sinful acts first take shape in the mind and heart of the individual. It is there that choices are weighed and a decision is made about whether to act on the thought. To keep this to a 3-minute read, we need to revisit it tomorrow; alternatively, you can read the full message at the link below.
Put It Into Practice: A 3-Step Soul Check
1. Identify the "Spring": Today, pay attention to one recurring thought. Is it a "spring of life" (encouraging, kind) or is it "dark" (bitter, anxious)?
2. The "You Fool" Test: Jesus warns against demeaning others. If you find yourself calling someone a "fool" (even just in your head while driving!), stop and ask: “Lord, what is the root of this anger in my soul?”
3. The Restoration Prayer: When you feel peace slipping away, pray Psalm 23:3 aloud: "Lord, you promised to restore my soul. I surrender my emotions to You right now." Keith Thomas
Continue Your Journey…
Consider bookmarking the following link: Browse our free 3-minute Bible Meditations:
Read our full study: Winning the War Within: A Bible Study on Matthew 5:21-30