Don't Trust Your Heart

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and command them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a thread of blue: and it shall be unto for a fringe, that you may look on it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that you not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which lead you astray: that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy unto your God." Numbers 15:37-40 (Auths Trans)

Three times a day, Jewish men recite the words of the Shema: Hear, Oh Israel the LORD is our God; the LORD is One. This is the central prayer of Judaism and is made up of three paragraphs. The first is taken from Deuteronomy 6, the second from Deuteronomy 11 and the last is from the above portion found in Numbers 15.  This was the very first Hebrew text I learned, when I started learning Hebrew more than 20 years ago. I was always intrigued with the phrase: and that you not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which lead you astray... because this is completely contrary to what people often tell us.


All my life, I have been told by well meaning people, "Trust your heart." "Follow your heart" and other such phrases. But King Solomon said exactly opposite of this. He exhorted: He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso waketh wisely shall be delivered. Proverbs 28:26  The prophet Jeremiah tells us why we shouldn't trust our hearts: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9

But many will argue, "That is Old Testament. Jesus came into our hearts and we can trust our heart." However, Jesus Himself taught the same thing that the Old Testament writers declared. He said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out o fthe evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12: 34-37 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man. Matthew 15:18-20  These words echoed another proverb from King Solomon: Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

Our mouth only reflects whats in our hearts. If we fill our hearts with evil, then that's whats going to come out.  The Apostle James, who was also the Lord's brother, stated: Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. James 3:10, 13 During the sermon on the mountain, Jesus said concerning our speech: But let your Yes be Yes; and your No be No; for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil. Matthew 5:37  The Apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.  Ephesians 4:29  And in writing to the Corithians, the Apostle Paul, used a quotation from a Greek poet named Menander, from his play called Thais: Be not deceived; evil communication corrupts good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33

Instead, we must surrender our hearts to the Lord and allow Him to lead us by His Spirit. This is what is means to Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, and all of your might.

The Word of the LORD

 Hear oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all of your might. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Deut 6:4

Jesus said, If you love Me, you shall keep My Commandments. John 14:15.  So many people, today, want to live a modern, secular lifestyle, but still wear the title of a Christian. They are no more than the pagans or heathens who worship an idol or false god. He that loves the world, the love of the Father is not even in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is of the world and the world will pass away, but He that does the will of God shall abide forever. I John 2:15-17 They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  II Timothy 2:19

How can we possibly live the life God called us to live? No matter how hard we try, it always seems to be a bit out of our reach. The Apostle Paul told the Romans in chapter 7 how whenever he would try to do good, evil was present and he would fall short. But God provided a way for us to walk in His ways. It is not by our works, but through faith.  The just shall live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4 Not by works of the law. For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9

Faith is a revelation.

By faith, Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice unto God...Hebs11:4 How did Abel know what to offer in sacrifice to God? It came by revelation. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17

I have often heard whole sermons from the text: (As it it is written, I have made thee (Abraham) a father of many nations,) before Him Whom he believed, even GOD, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Romans 4:17.  Now to hear preachers preach, the verse is taken to mean Abraham called those things that be not as though they were, but if you read this according to its context, Abraham believed in GOD WHO calls those things that be not as though they were.  

I believe this is where the deceitful lie came up in the 80' and 90's to "Name it and Claim it".  And this lie gave birth to the prosperity doctrine that took over many televangelists and people in the church world. One televangelist who was very much a propagator of this lie recently came forward and made a public confession and repented of his part in this.

But lay that aside and this is still a powerful portion of Scripture.  Abraham believed in HIM - in the very One Who spoke, “Let there be light.” And there was light. Gen. 1:3  When God speaks, nature obeys. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. Psalms 33:9  And why does nature obey? It is because nothing can stand before the Word of God. And when we surrender ourselves to the Word of God through faith, the will of our flesh can no longer stand before the Word of God. It must obey.

So, when God says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all of your might. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself." It is not that you have to figure out how to work this out on your own.  You have to recognize that He has given the Word and by faith, you can walk in the fulfillment of it. When Jesus commanded the paralytic to "Take up his bed and walk", the man could not naturally do this in himself.  But because Jesus is the Word, the paralytic's body had to obey the commandment of God.

Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7 The key here is ASK.  In my lifetime, I've heard countless believers COMMAND the Lord. I have often heard preachers tell the devil where to go and what to do.  I believe that commanding the devil certainly comes with a level of authority and relationship with the Lord, but more often the devil doesn't move because that man or woman is operating in a spirit of pride and not in sincerity and a true walk with the Lord.

I have heard so often in the ministry of Brother William Branham, he would pray, "Father, I ask that the devil leave this person."  I don't remember many times hearing him COMMAND the devil to come out.  There's something about humility that causes the heart of God to be moved.

God wants us to ASK.  How often did Jesus say, "Ask"?  As a child when I would want something from my mother or father, I knew if I walked up and said, "give me this" or even "I want that", I probably wouldn't be as likely to be given it, unless I asked, "may I please have that?" It is a level of respect and we as children of God often mistake our LEVEL of respect and think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think.  Oh how often I have proved the Lord by following His simple command: ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.  Just the other day, after searching high and low through my house for something, I stopped and prayed, "Lord, this is so insignificant, but You promised, SEEK and you shall find. I have been seeking and I'm asking You to help me find." I hadn't even finished my prayer, before the Holy Spirit directed me to look in a drawer and there it was.

He just wants us to take Him at His Word and He'll take us at our word.  A good friend of my mother's, Mrs. Dot Bell once told me: "I'm nothing. He's everything. But when Everything takes hold of a willing nothing, something good is bound to happen."

Praying the Shema

Morning, afternoon and evening – at least 3 times a day the Jewish people recite the central prayer to Judaism. This is known as the Shema. In Hebrew, this word means – HEAR or give earnest heed. However, Hebrew is not an abstract language like our English language. One word can have an alternating or multifaceted meaning. This word can also be translated as OBEY. When Yeshua was asked what is the chief of the commandments, He quoted the Shema and Love thy neighbor. [see blog post: Roots - The Great Commandment & Roots – Love Thy Neighbor]

Many years ago, I put into practice reciting this at least upon arising and before retiring for bed. Albeit, it was just a mantra. I would try to meditate on each line, but it still seemed canned and ritualistic. However, recently, I began to research scriptures to identify with each line and this mantra truly then became a prayer. Hopefully, this will inspire you on your path of righteousness.

Hear, O Israel:

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:8)

Be ye hearers of the word, and not doers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)
Therefore whosoever hearth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them... (Matt 7:24)
Blessed are they that do His commandments... (Rev 22:14)

the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of Whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, and we by Him. (I Cor. 8:6)
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph 4:4-5)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (I Tim 2:5)

And you shalt love the Lord you God with all you heart,

Create in me a clean heart, oh God and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 51:10 )

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh YHVH my Rock and my Redeemer. (Ps. 19:14)
I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart.(Ps. 9:1)
[I will praise Thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned Thy righteous judgments.
With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.
Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
I entreated Thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to Thy Word.
I will keep Thy precepts with my whole heart.
Let my heart be sound in Thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord.] (Excerpts from Ps. 119)

Many other Psalms may be found in your concordance dealing with the heart.

Proverbs says, Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Pro. 4:23)

Yeshua said, “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man. (Mt. 15:18-20)

and with all your soul,

The word for soul in Hebrew is NEFESH. It is widely used in a sense to encompass appetite, desire, lust, the mind, pleasure either negatively or positively. The ancient Hebrews often referred to 'afflicting the soul' which meant to abstain from food. Hence our soul is the part of our being that is responsible for desires delights and affections. “He satisfieth the hungry soul with goodness – Ps 107:9”

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Ps. 103:1)

But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate day and night. (Ps 1:2)
I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word. (Ps. 119:16)
Thy testimonies are my delight and my counselors. ( '' '' 24)
Make me to go in the way of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight. ('' '' 35)
And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved. ('' '' 47)
Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. ('' '' 92)
O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. ('' ''97)
My soul is continually in my hand: yet do i not forget thy law ('' '' 109)
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for Thy commandments. ('' ''131)
My soul hath kept Thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. ('' '' 167)
As the deer panteth for the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. (Ps. 42:1)
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: (Ps. 84:2)
The desire of the righteous is only good. (Pro 11:23)
The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. (Pro. 13:19)

Set your affections on things above and not on things on the heart. (Col. 3:2)

Yeshua said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Mt. 6:21)

 and with all your might.

The word for might in Hebrew is M'ohd. It means so much more than strength or power. In fact, Jewish translation often translate it as resources, as our might (or labor) brings profit and increase.

Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase. (Pro. 3:9)

And whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might... (Ec. 9:10)
And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (Col. 3:23)
With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men... (Eph. 6:7)

And you shall love you neighbor as yourself.

Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Bear ye one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

David was a man after God's own heart. You will find over and over again, Psalms that ring out these points – whole heart, all your soul and all your might. I challenge you to incorporate this formula in your prayers, just as we studied on the Lord's prayer.

Roots - Love Your Neighbor

Part 2
Now, taking what we learned about how we love YHVH, we are told to love our neighbor as ourself. John said, “If a man say, 'I love God,' and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (I John 4:20) We must love our neighbor as passionately as we love ourselves and even as we love God.

But who is our neighbor? Is the one who's address is next door to you? Or is it the person you work with? Who is your neighbor? In Luke 10:30-37, Yahshua tells us of a Jewish man who was on his way to Jericho. Along the way, thieves and robbers mugged him, taking his clothing, beating him and leaving him for dead. By chance, a priest was passing by and when he saw the man, he crossed to the other side of the road, so not to defile himself. Later, a Levite passed by and when he saw the dying man, he, too, passed on to the other side of the road so as not to defile himself. Later, a Samaritan – who I might add, was at enmity with the Jewish people over disputes of lineage much as the Palestinians and Israeli's today – passed by. However, he, taking pity on the dying man, bound up his wounds, pouring in soothing oil and wine, then put him on his donkey and paid an inn keeper to look after him.

After relating this parable, Yahshua asked the scribes and Pharisees, “Who do you think was his neighbor?” Was it the priest or Levite, who kept the letter of law, who performed daily services in the Temple, who kept kosher lives and didn't risk defiling themselves with the dead. No, it was the one who had mercy on the dying man.

Romans 13:10 states, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Yahshua summed up in Matthew 7:12 the whole message of the law and the prophets, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

Thus, if we love YHVH with all of our heart, with all of our soul, and with all of our might, then we will love our neighbor as we love ourself. And if we love our neighbor as ourself, we will not bear false witness against our neighbor, nor covet anything that is our neighbors. And if we love YHVH with all of our being, we will not swear falsely by His Name, nor will we practice idolatry or worship other gods. Again, this is the law and the prophets.

Roots - The Great Commandment

We find a very interesting scene in the book of Mark chapter twelve. The Pharisees were a devout religious sect of Jews who not only believed in the written law of Moses, but also clung to what is known as the Oral law of Moses. The Oral law had supposedly been passed down from generation to generation – father to son since the time when Moses received it on Mt. Sinai. These were the “commandments of men” that Yahshua preached against in Matthew 15:3-9. The Pharisees had tried to trip Yahshua up by his doctrines, but when they did not succeed, they tried to bring him down with a legal matter. When Yahshua passed this test, the Sadducees step up.

Now, the Sadducees were also a religious sect, but they differed from the Pharisees in that they rejected the “Oral law” of Moses and only clung to the law and the prophets. The Hebrew word for Sadducee is “Tzad'i'Keem” which means Righteous Ones. They didn't believe in the resurrection of the dead. And after they had tested Him with their question, Yahshua was tested by yet another religious man – a scribe.

Now, a scribe was very religious and knowledgeable in the fact that his full time job was to transcribe the Law and the prophets from one scroll to another. It takes about 1 – 2 years to hand write one Torah scroll (the five books of Moses). They are very meticulous and cannot write one jot or tittle from memory. If they are right handed, then they must only write with their right hand. And the scroll must be copied from another Kosher Torah scroll. They perform a Mikveh (ritual purification bath – like a baptism/immersion) prior to the onset of writing a Torah scroll.

So the scribe asked Yahshua, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Now, in our Western “christianized” thinking, many would have answered, “Thou shalt have no other god's before me,” which is the first of the “Ten Commandments”. But to Yahshua, who was raised as a Jew, He answered, “The first (or most important) commandment is, 'Hear, O Israel, YHVH is our God. YHVH is One. And you shall love YHVH your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength' This is the first commandment. And the second is similar, precisely this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.” In Matthew's recounting of the story, Yahshua added, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” What does this tell us?

By looking at Exodus chapter 20, we see that the first of the commandments start off telling us how we should serve or love God. The second half deals with how we treat our neighbor. Yahshua tells us in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” The book of first John teaches that if we don't love our fellow man who we see in flesh, how can we say that we love God, who we cannot see in the flesh? Paul (Sha'ul in Hebrew), in Romans 13:8-10, gives us the commandments that deal with “loving one's neighbor”. He sums the commandments up by saying, “therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

What does it mean to love Him with all of your heart? We know that the heart is the seat of the emotions. It is more than the most vital organ of our body. It is emotionally, who we are, our affection, our love, our joy, peace, etc. The heart was also used throughout Yahshua's teachings as the center for our intellect. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45) Or in the book of Proverbs 23:7, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” So then, our intellect must love YHVH in every aspect.

What does it mean to love Him with all of your soul? This word soul, in Hebrew, is “Ne'fesh” means, breathing or breath. So basically, we must love YHVH with every breath of our body, right? Of course, right. However, so much the more, this word soul also is used in another context. Throughout the Old Testament, we see this word used in place of appetite. Isaiah 58 is a well known chapter that talks about fasting or “afflicting one's soul”. So then, to love YHVH with all of your soul is to love Him with all of your appetite or your desires.

When we look at the word, might in Hebrew, we find it means much more than loving YHVH with all of your strength. That's just scratching the surface. We find it has a much deeper meaning. Might translates provision or resource. So when we love YHVH with all of our might, in essence, we are loving him with all of our resources and provisions. Remember, “YHVH loves a cheerful giver”.