In what ways can we ensure our hearts are fully devoted to the Lord? Ezekiel’s Call to Purity “ ‘Each of you, throw away the detestable things you prize with your eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ ” (Ezekiel 20:7) God’s instruction is direct, literal, and timeless: wholehearted devotion begins with decisive separation from anything that competes with His rightful place. Identify and Abandon Modern Idols • Spot the rivals: career, entertainment, relationships, possessions, self-promotion • Evaluate by Scripture’s standard (1 John 5:21; 1 Corinthians 10:14) • Remove, replace, and resist—just as Israel was to cast away Egypt’s gods, we cut ties with whatever steals affection from the Lord Guard the Affections of the Heart • “Above all else, guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23) • Fill mind and imagination with what is true, honorable, and pure (Philippians 4:8) • Limit inputs that stir coveting or compromise (Psalm 101:3) Fuel Devotion with the Word • Daily intake—“Your word I have hidden in my heart” (Psalm 119:11) • Meditate and delight (Psalm 1:1-3) • Let Scripture reshape desires, not just inform behavior (James 1:22-25) Express Love through Obedience • “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15) • Obedience affirms His Lordship stated in Ezekiel 20:7 • Small, immediate acts of faithfulness train the heart for greater loyalty (Luke 16:10) Practice Continual Repentance • Regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) • Confess quickly, receive cleansing (1 John 1:9) • Repentance is not a one-time doorway but a lifestyle that keeps the heart tender Rely on the Holy Spirit’s Power • Walk by the Spirit to silence fleshly desires (Galatians 5:16) • Trust His enabling to “put to death the deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13) • Spiritual fruit is evidence of a heart yielded fully to the Lord (Galatians 5:22-23) Walk in Set-Apart Community • Mutual exhortation guards against deceitful sin (Hebrews 3:13) • Gather faithfully for worship and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Shared devotion fuels personal devotion; isolation breeds compromise Living the Wholehearted Life Remove idols, guard affections, feast on the Word, obey promptly, repent continually, rely on the Spirit, and stay connected to a holy community. These tangible rhythms keep the heart entirely the Lord’s, honoring the command first given through Ezekiel and still binding today. |
    |