Page 50 - Finding Identity

hearts and turn, so I should heal them.”
(Matthew 13:15)

1 Timothy 4:2 speaks of people whose consciences
have been seared as if with a hot iron.

“Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience
seared with a hot iron,” (1 Timothy 4:2)

In contrast to the downward spiral we experience
if we indulge our flesh, David prayed for a clean
heart (Ps. 51:10 ”Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me” ), and we are
told to purify our hearts (James 4:8 “Draw near to
God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands,
you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-
minded”). It can be done.

The Bible promises that transformation will occur,
perhaps more slowly than we would like, but it will

occur if we will bring our minds up to a new quality
and act on our godly thoughts. That is not easy to
do. Satan has made sure that our society is packed
with ungodliness, and thus our senses are
bombarded with images and sounds that work to
hijack any transformation process. Furthermore,
our sin nature is constantly trying to pull us down
into the muck of life. But complaining about the
difficulty of the battle will not change things, it is

what it is, and it is why God will give wonderful

pg. 49