Change my Heart O, God is one of my favorite songs that points to God as the one who changes our hearts. Have you ever prayed and asked the Lord to change your heart? I have prayed about this many times because I know I can’t change my heart on my own. Even King David knew he needed God’s help to change his heart. Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. [1]
A Hardened Heart Deceives the Religious Leaders
Four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus for healing. They came with faith and open hearts to receive God’s blessings. As they went to the house where Jesus was ministering, they discovered the place was so full that they couldn’t get in the door. Because they were determined to get their friend to Jesus, they went up on the house roof and dug a hole right through it.
Mark 2:4 Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” 6 But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” [2]
A Softened Heart is a Blessing from God
What if the teachers of the religious law had come to Jesus with open hearts? How would their actions be different? When we come to know Jesus as our Savior, our hearts change. The Holy Spirit takes up residence and begins to transform us. A once hardened heart is now pliable and soft as the Lord changes how we see Him, others, and ourselves. Perhaps you lacked compassion, but God gives you concern for others.
A softened heart is a gift from God and something only He can do. Paul writes about this heart change. Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.[3]
The Lord Wants to Change Our Hearts
The Lord, in His mercy, always wants His children to be growing in their faith! A heart growing in love spills out on other people bringing the love and compassion of Jesus. This is God’s desire for you and why He prompts you to pray for your heart to change.
To hear how to ask, “change my heart O God,” listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-forgiveness-over-healing
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.