“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
“The eyes of your understanding”: (ophthalmos) + (kardia), “The eyes of your heart.”
The heart is an organ in our body. It pumps blood through our circulatory system, feeding our cells and organs nutrients. When the Word speaks of the heart, it is referring to the THINKING INSTRUMENT of the SOUL.
Scripture tell us that the heart is the seat of emotions. When Paul prays that the “eyes of the Christian heart” be enlightened, he is asking God to help us grasp the revelation of things revealed to the mind. He wants these revelations to move, motivate, and deepen our spiritual insight. With knowledge, we can then use wisdom to apply the understanding to our lives.
When the eyes of the heart are open and enlightened, we FEEL the power and wonder of the truths written in the Word. With emotions that are in sync with the spiritual revelations of the mind, a believer can be a highly effective and an honorable vessel or tool of God. A passionate Christian is highly motivated and ready to serve. They want to understand all things of Christ.
When you face a trial, struggle, or unfathomable circumstance, pray that God opens the eyes of your heart. The Holy Spirit revelations to your mind will then ignite emotions resting in your heart that validate the truths of the gospel. We need to feel the truth in our emotions, yes in the heart-not just in our intellect.
It is okay to FEEL the truth with our emotions, but it is not okay to be led by the emotions of the heart alone. Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is deceitful and impossible to understand. No wonder the heart needs eyes to see what the mind is learning from God!
JOY is an emotion our spirits experience when chewing on the promises and truths of God’s Word. The eyes of our heart will often rejoice with joy, as our minds comprehend the treasures found in the Bible. However, we must be careful when other feelings convince us to go or do things that would not please God. “It FEELS so good so it must be right” is not always the case. The heart and mind must find confirmation with the leading of the Holy Spirit and the truth spelled out in the Word.
Everything you do flows from the heart and therefore we are instructed to guard it well. It is the wellspring of our life. The heart guides and directs us, and every word that comes out of our mouths starts in the heart. All of our actions and decisions are driven by the desires found in our hearts. That is why it is so important to ask God to make His desires our desires.
May the wellspring of you life (found in your heart) overflow with joy, as the “eyes of your heart” see and understand how deep His love is for you. Delight yourself in the Lord, and then He will give you the desires of your heart. When your will is HIS WILL, how can He deny you?
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
Categories: INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLES
A great reminder. Thanks.
Ms Mott,
Thanks for the encouraging comment. Be sure to visit my blog too!
weepingintodancing.com and the new one facingtrials.com
Blessings!
Love the post! I also think the heart represents our total commitment. We hear it in modern language, (e.g., “Her heart wasn’t in it.”). In dealing with matters of heart and head, I like to think of it this way:
– If we give our minds, we follow rules
– If we give our hearts, we follow feelings
– If we give our hearts and minds, we follow Christ
Thanks for the post!
Hello Mr Hogan77,
I am glad the post spoke to your heart AND mind. I love what you wrote regarding HEART + MIND= FOLLOW CHRIST.
Blessings!