God’s Desire: The Attitude of the Heart He Seeks
Psalm 11:2-3 (NIV) For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Be careful with the deception of the devil who always wants to ‘lift’ us up, meaning to make us think that we are ‘more than others’. Therefore we begin to ‘leave behind’ the attitude of the heart that makes us ‘lifted up’ by God.
What exactly is the attitude of the heart that God wants ?
1. The attitude of the heart that empties oneself (free from love of self, love of money, and love of the world) and completely obey what God wants, do God’s will with all your heart, soul, and strength.
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
2. The attitude of the heart that considers others to be more important.
Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV) then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
3. An attitude of heart that continues to persevere in digging for the truth of God’s Word, whether reading the Bible or reading books written based on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 17:11 (NIV) Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Joshua 1:8 (NIV) Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
The Holy Spirit emphasizes that I continue to retain the fundamental of the attitude of the heart above even be strengthened to be more solid! Focus and don’t get distracted!