If you had a heart attack, or even symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the arm(s), or rapid/irregular heartbeat, etc. – you would immediately seek attention from a source you trust such as an Urgent Care place or even an Emergency Room. They would ask you a million “testing” questions and probably run a whole variety of tests and measurements.
So, how should we handle the evaluation Henry Blackaby just threw up to me? His words? “At any time, the receptiveness of your heart will determine your response to God’s Word.”
Now I would like to think I so revere God’s Word that when I read it, hear it, or remember it, my response is totally “Godly” and would honor Him. Hmmm – I think I need to check that out a bit further after I read the scripture on which he was basing his teaching: Luke 8:5-16. That is the parable of the Sower.
If you remember, Jesus was describing different types of soil – some seeds were scattered on the path (which was trampled down so the birds scarfed them up immediately), some fell on rocky ground (which started to grow but had no moisture so they died), and some fell among thorns (which weeds grew with it and choked out the good plants).
“But the seed in the good ground – these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit.” Luke 8:15
There is another key part of the verse that helps us get the point – Jesus said “The seed is the word of God” in Luke 8:11.
But Blackaby put it all together in a piercingly effective way that set me back on my heels. I am presently working with some folks who are in conflict, and this is also key for me as well. He said “If your heart is like the trampled ground, hardened by the sin of bitterness and unforgiveness, you will be unable to accept a message from God….If your heart is like the shallow soil on top of a rock, you will accept God’s Word in your mind, but the truth will not penetrate your heart to make a difference in your actions.”
He went on, “A heart like thorny soil is a life that is distracted by the cares of the world; the pursuit of earthly pleasures prevents God’s Word from taking hold and producing righteousness.” And I don’t think he’s talking just about “sinful” earthly pleasures but I am picturing all the ways I am drawn to focus on my self – indulgences I enjoy, distractions drawing me away from daily time with the Lord, and so many seemingly innocent pleasures that interfere with my hearing God’s Word which He is directly delivering to me!
Then here is the punch line: “The heart that is like good soil receives a word from God, applies it, and brings forth fruit in due time. This is the heart that Jesus desires in us, for the fruit will be a Christlike life.”
Of course, what am I praying for consistently? I ask for His Will to be clear to me, that He direct me down His path, that He guide me. But I have not taken time to do a “heart check” to see if I am able to hear Him well so that I can respond well.
As Blackaby unpacked this, I could see a few major issues I needed to address. First, he said that any time you hear a word from God, the way you respond will depend upon “how you have cultivated your heart” (Hosea 10:12) Of course, I am trying to think about how one would cultivate one’s heart.
Here it is: Blackaby started with when “you hear a word from God”. I immediately respond with “I ask for the postcard in the mail” or some sort of clear communication from God but I have not gotten it in the form I want it – so clear that there is no mistaking what He means. Like the directions He gave Moses and all those prophets! Sadly, Blackaby outlined the ways we “hear a word from God” when he said whether it was through Bible reading, prayer, or worship, you “hear a word” from God. Why do I say “sadly”? Because I so short-shrift my Bible reading/prayer/personal worship time!!
So that is the first “heart condition” check-up tool I need to examine. How to set myself up through Bible time, prayer time and ongoing personal worship to be able to hear when God does speak to me! Yes, my score on that one? Way too low.
But the next question Blackaby asked is the key question – “How do you develop a heart that is like good soil?” The answer to that requires that I have first been doing all of the items above related to “hearing a word from God”. THEN – Blackaby’s listed items are truly the core of my work I need to do for a heart that is like good soil. Take a look for yourself:
- Repent of any bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness
- Meditate on God’s Word until it enters deep into your heart and not just your mind. Let Him bring His word into reality in your life (Galatians 6:9)
- See that you don’t devote all of your energy to worldly concerns, rather than to pursuing your relationship with God.
The way Blackaby explains this takes me back to my growing up on the farm. He says that the condition of your heart will vary depending on how you cultivate it. I remember my dad doing the early spring “deep breaking” of the soil with the largest blades that would go deep into the ground and turn the way down moist soil over and, by the shape of the blade, bring it to the top. The next tools were different, like discs, and they broke up the big clods of dirt that had come up chopping them down into a more fine dirt consistency in preparation for planting. All heavy duty work taking days and weeks and requiring focused attention as well as evaluation of what tool was needed next. And yes, the amount of rain or sun added by the Lord were a big factor.
And here is a surprising direction from Blackaby which I had not expected. I tend to think in terms of progressing in the work I am doing on my mindset and spiritual journey as progressive – slowly climbing that hill. But Blackaby sent me another surprise requiring thoughtful consideration. He said about my heart condition that if “it was receptive to a word from God yesterday, this does not guarantee it is receptive today”.
Whoa! This took the heart work up a notch in effort for me – I had not thought of this aspect. His words are a final directive I hope will be as helpful to you as it was to me in deciding this requires not just immediate, but regular, attention. Yes, I want my heart to be receptive and ready to respond to God’s word to me! Blackaby’s wisdom: “Daily prepare your heart for the word God has for you!” Hold on to it, and by enduring, bear fruit. This goes on the daily list – no ifs, ands or buts!
