Heart Detox: Introduction
Opening: Healthy spiritual walk is possible through renewing of heart.
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverb 4:23)
I. TOXIC HEART LEADS TO TOXIC THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIORS.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
The symptoms of toxic thoughts and behaviors
Cognitive errors (Aaron Beck)
“Thought is the sculptor who can create the person you want to be.” (Henry David Thoreau)
II. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE OUR OWN HEART DEVELOPMENTS.
The levels of our heart development (Timothy R. Jennings)
1st Level: Reward & Punishment
2nd Level: Exchange, Return
3rd Level: Social Conformity
4th Level: Law & Order
5th Level: Love for other people
6th Level: Principle based living, Living in harmony
7th Level: Understanding God’s heart and design
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (v.12)
III. THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HAS POWER TO CREATE A NEW HEART.
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (v.7)
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (v.17)
“You have heard that it was said ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)
“Then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” (v.19)
Closing: One who opens his/her heart experiences healing and restoration.