The Battle for a Soft Heart
In a world where values often clash with those of God, it’s easy to get pulled away from Him. Our hearts can harden, leading to dissatisfaction and impatience with life and those around us. But God cautions us, urging us to remain vigilant and protect our hearts from the deceitfulness of sin.
The Dangers of Compromise
When we compromise on small things, we may think it won’t matter. But for believers, allowing things into our hearts and minds that contradict God’s values can lead to inner frustration and a gradual slide into unbelief. God calls us to be mindful of our heart’s condition, to keep it soft and receptive to His guidance.
Three Essential Strategies
To maintain a soft heart, we must:
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Monitor Sin’s Influence: Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s nudges and don’t ignore your conscience when it bothers you. Justifying small wrongdoings may seem harmless, but it can slow down your response to God and ultimately harden your heart.
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Guard Against Unbelief: Be cautious when justifying wrongdoing, even if it seems justified by others’ actions. This path can lead to unbelief, robbing you of the joy and blessing that comes from obeying God’s ways.
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Run to God in Hard Times: Instead of blaming God during difficult times, seek comfort in His arms and empowerment from His Spirit. Ask for wisdom and guidance in each step of your journey.
The Power of Encouragement
Daily encouragement from fellow believers can sharpen our faith and help us stay firm in our commitment to God. Let’s make it a habit to uplift one another and seek encouragement when we need it.
A Heartfelt Prayer
Father God, keep my heart soft and receptive to Your guidance. Help me avoid the slow-down of sin and increase my faith. Guide me to encourage others today and hold me close to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
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