Today, two different studies I am going though talked a lot about the heart, one with Robin and the other here in Romans 6. In the NIV translations, this chapter is titled Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ. But are we living our lives like we are dead to sin? Have we buried it, walked away from old sinful habits, or are we still trapped by sin? Romans 6 is a compelling read, dive in, and unpack all its goodness. Today, I am only going to talk about the heart.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” -‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here we get two different messages and stories of the heart. We must guard it because everything we do flows from it. Second, the heart is deceitful and beyond cure. Well, this doesn’t sound very encouraging.

I read these and understand that without direction, intentionality, and the Holy Spirit, we will follow our heart right into a disaster and find chaos all around us. Proverbs drive this home, where there is no prophetic vision, no direction from God's Word we all perish. It’s the unbroken wild horse that can not be ridden, that's our heart in its natural state. 

But, our hearts can be led and guided. It does not have to be in the driver's seat, and it can take instruction and direction if we are intentional and lead it. Check out Jesus words in Matthew:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Where your treasure is, there your heart will also be. Where are we leading our center? What are we doing with our time, our effort, our energy - what do we treasure? If we desire to love our spouses more each day, are we treasuring them? This doesn’t happen on accident, and we must bring intentionality and focus! Let me put it another way, a quote from one of the greatest business leaders of all time;

“What's measured improves.” ― Peter Drucker.

Drucker understood that what we focus on, what we measure and track improves. This is focus, dedication, intentionality, and top of mind. This is why most people who do Weight Watchers weigh in each week...what is measured improves. It brings focus, attention, and accountability. 

Our hearts need to be focused and lead. In doing this, we then can understand Pauls words in Romans 6;

“And thanks be to God, for in the past, you were servants of sin, but now your obedience is heart deep, and your life is being molded by truth through the teaching you are devoted to.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭TPT‬‬

It is stepping away from being a servant of sin,  now becoming slaves to righteousness. Our obedience is “heart deep” - it is in us and drives us, and modeled buy the truth. But before I wrap up, one thing to point out here in 6:17. On leading our heart again, you see that “the teaching you are devoted to” it referenced. This is leading, what teaching are we devoted to? This makes all the difference with our hearts. 

We do not have to be slaves to sin; we have a choice with the grace of Christ in us. We must step into today and lead our hearts, guide this in the way that honors God. Time to lead.