Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. I. THE HUMAN HEART IS NOT BY NATURE IN GOD'S POSSESSION. This fact is sustained — 1. By man's actions. Man's actions in his unregenerated state prove that his heart is not under the control of the Divine. Man in this condition has no sympathy with the truths, realities, principles, and pleasures of the blessed gospel of God. 2. By the experience of the good of all ages. 3. By the testimony of God's Word. II. GOD DESIRES POSSESSION OF THE HUMAN HEART. This desire of God — 1. Is founded on judicial ground. It is only right that God should have the heart. We are not our own; He who made us has an inalienable right to all we have and are. "He bought us with the precious blood of Christ." 2. Is founded on filial relation — "My son, give Me thine heart." God and man are near relations; man is the offspring of the Divine. 3. Is founded on God's love to man. God's love to man prompted Him to make this appeal. He desires his heart that He may enlighten it with His Spirit, cleanse it with the blood of His Son. III. GOD DESIRES A WILLING POSSESSION OF THE HUMAN HEART — "My son, give Me thine heart." God says, "Give Me thine heart" wholly, voluntarily, unreservedly, gratefully, and believingly. 1. That God does not exercise compulsion on man's will — " Give Me thine heart." God recognises man's free agency. 2. The dignity of man recognised by God. Man's consent is necessary. 3. The glory of the Divine character. If God would compel man to serve Him and surrender to Him his heart, his service would not render any glory to God; the service would be void of virtue. (J. O. Griffiths.) Parallel Verses KJV: My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.WEB: My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. |
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