Topical Bible: Heart: Renewed: Devout

◄ Heart: Renewed: Devout ►

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In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. A renewed heart signifies a transformation that aligns one's inner being with the will and purposes of God. This transformation is a central theme in Scripture, highlighting the profound change that occurs when an individual turns to God in faith and devotion.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of a renewed heart is rooted in the promises of the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament through the work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This prophetic declaration points to the transformative work of God in the lives of His people, replacing a hardened heart with one that is responsive and obedient to Him.

Characteristics of a Renewed Heart

A renewed heart is marked by devotion to God, characterized by love, obedience, and a desire to live according to His commandments. In Psalm 51:10, David cries out, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This plea reflects the longing for purity and steadfastness that accompanies a heart renewed by God.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this transformation in Romans 12:2, urging believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This renewal involves a complete reorientation of one's life, aligning thoughts, desires, and actions with the will of God.

Devotion as a Fruit of Renewal

Devotion is a natural outflow of a renewed heart. It is the expression of love and commitment to God, manifesting in worship, prayer, and service. In Colossians 3:16, Paul encourages believers, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God." This verse highlights the role of Scripture and communal worship in nurturing a devout heart.

The renewed heart is also evident in the life of the early church, as described in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This devotion was a hallmark of their faith, demonstrating the transformative power of a heart renewed by the Holy Spirit.

Practical Implications

A devout heart, renewed by God, impacts every aspect of a believer's life. It influences relationships, guiding individuals to love others as Christ loves them. It shapes ethical decisions, prompting believers to act justly and with integrity. Moreover, it fuels a passion for evangelism and discipleship, as a renewed heart desires to share the love and truth of the Gospel with others.

In summary, a renewed heart is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace, resulting in a life of devotion and obedience. It is a heart that beats in harmony with the divine will, reflecting the character of Christ in every thought, word, and deed.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Samuel 1:13
Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
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Psalm 4:4
Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
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Psalm 9:1
I will praise you, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all your marvelous works.
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Psalm 27:8
When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.
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Psalm 77:6
I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with my own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
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Psalm 119:10,69,145
With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander from your commandments.
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Library

For Purity of Heart.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 472. ... 3 A heart in every thought renewed, And full of love divine,
Perfect, and right, and pure and good, Conformed, O Lord, to thine. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/472 for purity of.htm

Prayer and Devotion
... God can wonderfully use such men, for devout men are His chosen agents in ... The absence
of a devotional spirit means death to the graces born in a renewed heart. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iii prayer and devotion.htm

Prayer and Desire
... And as the renewed soul hungers and thirsts after ... It is not simply our need; it is
the heart's yearning for ... Holy desire is much helped by devout contemplation. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/iv prayer and desire.htm

Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... matron trained in the school of the devout William Law ... from God that he needs to
be renewed in the ... obstacle to its reception is the aversion of the human heart. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm

Blessed Henry Suso's Preface to his Book
... man should choose out for himself as devout prayer. ... hardly have read it through before
his heart will needs ... wherein the soul will presently be renewed in grace ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/blessed henry susos preface to.htm

Turn or Burn
... to-morrow you may be honest, and the next day you may pretend to be devout, but
yet if ... Do you feel that God has changed your heart and renewed your nature? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/turn or burn.htm

The Sympathy of God
... The promise was renewed after Israel's sin and repentance ... The loving heart, afflicted
in all their afflictions, sends ... must have been felt by a devout Jew to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sympathy of god.htm

Hail, Jesus;
... humbly acknowledged his own injustice, and with a devout faith confessed ... Rend my
stony heart,. ... That, being wholly renewed, I may contemn all transitory things ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/hail jesus.htm

David's Gratitude
... of all the mercies,' springs to the devout lips most ... The thankful heart rejoices
in hearsay being changed into ... a fresh throb of desire and a renewed bliss in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/davids gratitude.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... Let it be a season of devout mourning, of godly sorrow for sin; such ... the same inward
and outward repentance; the same entire change of heart, renewed after the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm