A MATTER OF THE HEART
“[T]he heart refers to the center of one’s being including the mind, emotions, and will” ESV Study Bible (ref#125, p1907).
“Sin isn’t primarily about acts of rebellion. Sin is, first of all, a condition of the heart that results in acts of rebellion. You and I commit sins because we are sinners” Paul David Tripp (ref#190, Jan 30th).
“Have you known anything of real, personal, inward consciousness of the awfulness of your guilt in the presence of a holy God? Have you seen the horribleness of a heart that is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” Albert N. Martin (ref#221, p8)?
“[D]isobedience is personal. Every sin is a violation of a relationship—a sin against God. The first way we devalue sin is to think that sin is about behavior and behavior alone. Sin is always a matter of the thoughts, desires, motives, and choices of the heart. [Y]our body physically goes where your heart has already gone” Paul David Tripp (ref#190, Dec 11th ).
“[T]he LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’” (1 Sam 16:7 ESV).
“The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust” (James 1:13-15 MSG).
“[I]t is only when God is in his rightful place in my heart that I desire to live in a way that please him. Every sin denies his existence and his authority. Every sin replaces him with something else. Every sin quests for his power and his glory. Every sin is after his throne” Paul David Tripp (ref#190, Dec 11th).
“You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way. [W]hat he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find” (James 4:4-6 MSG).
Bonnie's Prayer Affair 