Topical Bible: Heart: Renewed: Lowly

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. A renewed heart signifies a transformation brought about by divine intervention, leading to a life that aligns with God's will. The concept of a lowly heart is closely associated with humility, meekness, and a recognition of one's dependence on God.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures emphasize the importance of a renewed heart, particularly one that is lowly and humble. 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 transformation is a divine act, replacing a hardened heart with one that is receptive to God's guidance.

A lowly heart is characterized by humility and a contrite spirit. Isaiah 57:15 states, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'" Here, God promises His presence and revival to those who possess a humble heart.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies and teaches the value of a lowly heart. In Matthew 11:29, He invites, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus' own heart is described as gentle and humble, setting a model for believers to emulate.

The Apostle Paul also highlights the importance of humility in the Christian life. In Philippians 2:3, he exhorts, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." A lowly heart is one that esteems others and seeks to serve rather than to be served.

Spiritual Implications

A renewed and lowly heart is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. James 4:6 reminds believers, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" The lowly heart is open to receiving God's grace, enabling a deeper relationship with Him.

The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5, further underscore the blessings associated with a lowly heart. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This poverty of spirit reflects a heart that recognizes its need for God, leading to the promise of the kingdom.

Practical Application

For believers, cultivating a renewed and lowly heart involves regular self-examination, repentance, and a commitment to follow Christ's example. It requires a daily surrender to God's will and a willingness to serve others in love. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians can nurture a heart that is both renewed and lowly, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Test of Discipleship
... The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in heart. ... "We love, because He
first loved us." 1 John 4:19, RV In the heart renewed by divine grace, love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

The Fruits of Grace
... But get the heart renewed, and let the man receive the Saviour, and perhaps the ... to
keep body and soul together"a humble crust in a very lowly, solitary room ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the fruits of grace.htm

O for a Heart to Praise My God
... humble, lowly, contrite heart,. Believing, true, and clean; Which neither life nor
death can part. From him that dwells within. A heart in every thought renewed ...
/.../sundays after trinity praise and 12.htm

Balerma. CM
... a lowly, contrite heart, Believing, true, and clean, Which neither life nor death
can part From him that dwells within;". 4 A heart in every thought renewed, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/331 balerma c m.htm

Messiah's Entrance into Jerusalem
... And still He was the same meek and lowly Saviour ... But that light of the glory of God
in the person of Jesus Christ, which is revealed to the renewed heart by the ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xi messiahs entrance into.htm

And Thou, Willing First to Show Me How Thou Resistest the Proud...
... and that by participation of wisdom abiding in them, they are renewed, so as ... unto
Him, and He refresh them, because He is meek and lowly in heart; and the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ix and thou willing.htm

Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it ...
... of the Spirit of God upon the heart is inseparably ... well represents the fixed state
of the renewed soul, as ... So the true Christian is humble and lowly; while his ...
/.../letter iii true religion a.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... Then thou learnest of him to be "lowly of heart ... do we see of the desperate wickedness
of our heart. ... the necessity of our being entirely renewed in righteousness ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 21 upon our lords.htm

The Endless Quest
... off pride; and fill your hot heart full of the meekness and lowly-mindedness of ... draw
out some new, and warm, and wondering love out of your renewed heart to Him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxiii the endless quest.htm

Christ with Chrism, Lo!
... 7. The chrism of the meek and lowly One, changes the ... man wherein He delighted; the
savour of his heart was as ... It is wasted and worn"let it not be renewed! ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii christ with chrism.htm