en yan hua fang

“Where Does the Heart Come From and Where Does It Go?” ~ ✨

Proverbs says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Prov 4:23)

1 Timothy also teaches us that everything must proceed from the heart.  1 Timothy 1:5 mentions, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  The interpretation of this verse points out that originally, none of us have a pure heart, because sin has defiled our conscience.  However, through one Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph 4:5), our unclean hearts are washed clean, and the guilt of our conscience is sprinkled away (Heb 10:22), and we put on the new self.  This new self is being renewed in knowledge and in the image of its Creator (Eph 4:24).  God is love!  We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:16 & 19).  The commands of the Lord Jesus Christ and His conduct are all founded on love.

Our love springs from faith (Gal 5:6; Eph 3:17).  The expression of love is not only through words but also through the conduct and actions of believers.  James chapter Two states that genuine faith will inevitably be accompanied by actions consistent with that faith.  In other words, faith must be put into action, not just be a matter of lip service or self-delusion.

1 Timothy 1:12 speaks of a lesson concerning the “heart,” which also refers to faithfulness.  The Lord Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10-12).  So, what are the “very little” things?  For many people, things that don’t concern them are “very little,” while things that do concern them are “much.”  Therefore, they won’t bother with matters that don’t involve them, but will labour mentally and physically for things that do.  

How should believers view this?  When I seek to understand the Lord’s teachings, I recall that they are all based on God’s commandment: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).  1 Timothy 3:11, in line with the Lord’s teaching, means being faithful in serving God in all things, so that others may see God reflected in believers.

Once we have dealt with our hearts, the conduct expected of believers as outlined in 1 Timothy becomes a natural consequence.  Chapter Two of this letter presents four things “to do” (the what) and “how to do” them (the how):

First (2:1):

Believers should pray, intercede, and give thanks for all people (Mark 11:17).  

In the Old Testament era, God’s house was called a house of prayer for all nations (Isa 56:7).  In the New Testament era, the believer’s body is the temple of God (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16).  Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Gen 15:6).  God called him to be blameless before Him (Gen 17:1).  The promise God gave Abraham was: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen 12:2-3).  

For believers to respond to 1 Timothy 2:1, they must live a life worthy of the calling they have received (Eph 4:1). Therefore, we should live with godliness and dignity, interceding for others, constantly praying for the repentance of all people, so that they may be blessed.

Second (2:7):

Believers should learn the truth and not tell lies.  The world often divides lies into black lies (those that harm others) and white lies (those supposedly told without harmful intent).  Among the believers I know, some hold similar attitudes and practices.  So, what should believers do to align with God’s will?  The Lord Jesus said: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matt 5:37).  The Lord is holy and faithful; He desires us to emulate Him, so that our mouths speak only truth and pure words that reverence God.

Third (2:8):

Men (believers) should lift up holy hands in prayer everywhere.  How can this be achieved?  If a believer wants to be able to pray at all times for themselves or others, they must remain holy, because God is holy, and without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb 12:14).  Also, because Scripture says: “For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech; they must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Pet 3:10-12).

Believers living in the world, especially in work environments, are easily influenced by the world’s culture and customs.  A moment’s carelessness can affect their words and actions.  Therefore, the Lord calls us to be always watchful and prayerful, reminding us that although we live in the world, we do not belong to it (John 17:14).

Fourth (2:9-11):

Women (believers) should dress modestly, and not adorn themselves with elaborated hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive clothes (1 Pet 3:3).  A woman’s beauty is not external but internal.  However, a person’s external adornment, whether female or male, reflects their inner world: is it simple and dignified, or flashy and ostentatious? Does it listen only to the Lord’s voice, or to the world’s voice?  The Bible teaches women believers to cultivate good character, for character is a woman’s true attire.  Both inside and outside the church, their character and conduct should be consistent: marked by decency, self-control, dignity, quietness and submission.

1 Timothy 2:15 summarises the character of believers mentioned above, echoing the thought of 1 Timothy 1:5.  That is, love for God springs from faith in God, and we must constantly maintain holiness and self-control, adorning ourselves with holiness to worship God.  I feel this verse brings out a very important spiritual meaning.  From the world’s perspective on moral values, behind every successful man, there is often a virtuous, capable, and pure wife supporting him.

In the spiritual realm, the church is the Bride of Christ.  The church’s moral values and standards are higher than those recognised by the world.  The church’s moral values and standards are eternal – from beginning to end; whereas the world’s moral values and standards change with time and trends.  The church is to be united with the image of God, but the world cannot be united with God, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23).  This means that Christ’s church is meant to manifest God’s holiness, righteousness, mercy and love.  A church with such character, like a virtuous woman, will be fruitful, bearing much gospel fruit.  If believers (the body of Christ) can achieve this, it is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that in the church, whether pastors, deacons, or other members, all are part of the Body of Christ.  For the church to function healthily, every believer (member) must be holy and self-controlled, united with other members in Christ.  A church united with Christ serves God with reverence and awe, so that the glorious grace of God can be revealed through believers, bringing glory to God!

Faith, love and faithfulness come from God, and they return to God.  Establish spiritual communion with God, let the spirit guide the soul, and let the body put it into practice – this is the path to sanctification.

Finally, I conclude this sharing with this poem 👇🏻

“Heart Born • Born of Heart” ✨

The countenance is born from the heart, the tongue reveals it.

Medicine cures disease, but the heart alone is hard to heal.

Hypocrites are loved by fools.

A cold face with a warm heart – the wise perceive the truth.

Character is primary, conduct is secondary.

The utmost importance is faithfulness.

Who can change their heart and alter their face?

How can an evil heart be changed?

Throughout the world, how can it be?

To heal the heart and tongue, only Jesus can.

✨✨💖 ~