It Starts in the Heart

Colossians 2:20,22-23 NKJV

“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations- [22] which all concern things which perish with the using-according to the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”

Spiritual discipline is not just about changing outward behavior. The root of the matter is the heart.

We can focus on “do this, don’t do that,” but if we never deal with the heart of the issue, we are only trying to fix what is happening on the outside. It starts in here before you see what manifests out here.

How is your intimacy with God? How is your communication with God? What is happening in your heart when nobody else sees it?

Spiritual discipline is about the behind-closed-doors part of our walk with God. It is doing what is right when nobody sees it. It is allowing God to work in our integrity, our character, our thoughts, and our inner life.

We cannot free and purify our own hearts just by trying harder in our own willpower. We must give our will over to the will of God.

When the heart is being transformed, what comes out of our lives begins to change too.

Here’s a challenge for you today:

Instead of only looking at what needs to change around you, ask God to show you what He wants to work on in your heart. Be willing to let Him deal with the root, not just the outward behavior.