Heart Conditions: Wounded Hearts

He had in His Right Hand seven stars, out of His Mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His Countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Revelation 1:16 (NKJV)

'Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'

Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'

Acts 2:36-38 (NKJV)

When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

Acts 7:54 (NKJV)

The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

Psalm 55:21(NKJV)

Wounds and pain to the spiritual heart often come through words. 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue' (Proverbs 18:21). Surely, the vast majority of us… have witnessed or received cutting remarks.

The results of a heart wounded by words can become life-making or life-breaking… depending on the one holding the sword.

If it’s a correction from the Spirit, yes, the cut will hurt. Few needed comeuppances are easy. But when they’re from God, He gives a choice:

  1. We can repent our bad acts and be saved,

  2. Or we can self-justify and be lost.

NOTE TO SELF (and all other earthly selves): Surrender is the only good option.

2nd NOTE: The cut is clean. It will heal. Jesus forgives, so we forgive ourselves!

On the other hand (namely, the devil’s), when the Accuser is holding the sword… and a cutting remark enters our ears, shocks our brain, and runs down to wound our heart…

  • We WILL be injured, if we’re defenseless.

  • How can Christians avoid the dirty jab?

  • A sharp pain that tends to get infected?

  • We put on the breastplate of righteousness,

  • (And all the rest of the Armor of God),

  • Forgive Satan’s mouthpiece, and walk forward.

If someone close to you has been injured by the callous remarks of a big-mouth, a fool, a bigot, or a know-it-all (whether it’s a friend or acquaintance)...Help, defend, befriend, and certainly pray.

  • ‘Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed’ (Psalm 82:3).

  • 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me' (Matthew 25:40).

  • ‘Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin’ (James 4:17).

Heart Conditions: Wounded Hearts (Part 10)

* Christians should memorize and put on the armor of God daily. Even more, they should pray for their defenseless friends, family, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers. And when the situation presents itself, they should stand in their defense.

* See Ephesians 6:10-18: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A10-18&version=NKJV

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban