Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations: Prepared Hearts

Prepared Hearts Part 2

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: New Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2004-10-31

Synopsis: John Weaver continues his two-part message on heart preparation, reviewing the rise (God as source) and responsibility (our duty to seek God) of heart preparation. He then focuses on the reality of heart preparation, showing that a prepared heart is evidenced by actions: putting away sin (negative) and seeking God's Word (positive). Using examples like Rehoboam, David, Jehoshaphat, and Ezra, he argues that a fixed heart determines beforehand to obey God, avoids temptation, and uses God-ordained means (preaching, teaching, admonishment) for maturity. Applications include seeking God for grace, depending on Him in all means, and praying to be kept from evil.

[John Weaver] Well, let's open our Bible's day, if you would please, to the two passages, Proverbs 16 and Hosea chapter 10. Proverbs 16, Hosea chapter 10. And now, for those of you who were not here last week, you're getting in on the second part of a two-part message, but I will certainly take enough time to review and hopefully bring you up to par very quickly. Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 1. And then, Hosea 10 and verse 12. Proverbs 16, verse 1.

[John Weaver] The preparation is the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Now, note that first part. The preparation is the heart in man is from the Lord. And then, if you look in your Bibles to the book of Hosea chapter 10 and verse 12, the Word of God says, so do yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, Break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord till he come and reign righteousness upon you.

[John Weaver] Now, last week, I began the message by asking a leading question. And that question was simply this, why are there so many failures in the Christians life? And in the multitude of Christians lives, in fact, on the way over here today, Kathy and I were talking and She was telling us about a preacher who was having severe problems. I mean scriptural problems. And yet these things ought not to be and should not be. So you have to ask why in the world do most Christians face all of these problems and all of these failures?

[John Weaver] One of the answers comes back is they never prepare their heart and they never seek God to prepare their heart. Now, last week, I covered two points. I showed, first of all, the rise of heart preparation. That is, if our hearts are ever prepared, God must prepare them. That's why the scripture says the preparation of the heart in man are from the Lord. If our hearts are ever prepared to pray, God prepared them to pray. If our hearts are prepared to live right, God prepared us to live right. If our hearts are prepared to repent, God prepared us to repent.

[John Weaver] We cannot do these things in and of ourselves. Even the doctrine of total depravity necessitates that everything originate with God. And that's why Scripture says, for off Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. So everything is off Him originally, through Him providentially, and to Him ultimately. And the second point I made was the responsibility of heart preparation. Although the grace belongs to God, the responsibility belongs to us. That's why in Hosea 10 and verse 12, he says that we're to break up our fallow ground. I pointed out that the word fallow refers to that ground that had been unbroken, that ground that is hard and firmly packed.

[John Weaver] In Jeremiah chapter 4, Jeremiah said basically the same thing. He said, break up your fallow ground and sow not among thorns. And the whole point of this was it is our responsibility to seek the Lord to enable us to deal with the sins and the wickedness and the bitterness and the resentment and anything in our lives that are contrary to the Word of God. It is our responsibility. We cannot do one thing apart from Him. So God is certainly not going to repent for us, although he gives us the grace of repentance. God is not going to believe for us, although he gives us the grace of faith. It is our responsibility and it is our responsibility to seek him for grace to fulfill our responsibilities.

[John Weaver] So I gave you just simply the rise of heart preparation and the responsibility of heart preparation. Now, one of the greatest failings in the Christian's life is the failing to obey the command of God in Proverbs 4 and verse 23. I want you to go back there very quickly. In fact, you can mark this passage because we will come back to this passage before the message is over. In Proverbs 4, look, if you would please, at verse 23. The Word of God just simply says this. Keep thy heart with all diligence. for out of it are the issues of life. Now, note the phrase, keep thy heart with all diligence. Now, the word keep literally means to guard and protect. In fact, the Hebrew is very emphatic. Literally, it says, keep above all things or set double guards around your heart. So you and I then are accountable and responsible to keep our heart. Once our heart has been prepared, we're responsible to keep it prepared. Now, I concluded the message last week by giving a comparison between farming and keeping the heart.

[John Weaver] When God says break up the fallow ground, I pointed out the fact that you cannot continue to reap fruit and to live off harvest that you picked 10 years ago. In other words, the ground must continually be prepared and harvest must continually be planted, that is, if you are going to have any fruit. Likewise, with a Christian life, you and I cannot live off repentance that we gave ten years ago, or six months ago, or prayers that we did two weeks ago. Just like the ground must constantly and continually be prepared in farming, our hearts likewise must constantly be continually prepared. When we cease to keep our hearts, we cease to prepare our hearts.

[John Weaver] Now, God is the source and origination of all true heart preparation. But as I pointed out last week, the responsibility to seek Him, to prepare our hearts, is ours. The ability is His, and the responsibility is ours. When we fail to seek Him, to give us grace to fulfill our responsibility, we fail in keeping and preparing our hearts. Now, let me give you a good illustration. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Second Chronicles, chapter 12 and verse 14. I use this passage last week just quoting it, but I want to go a little further with it this week. Look in Second Chronicles, chapter 12 and verse 14.

[John Weaver] Here we read about Rehoboam. Look what the Bible says. 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14. And he, that is King Rehoboam, did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.

[John Weaver] Now, here's a very clear statement. The reason Rehoboam did that which was wicked, wrong and evil was he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. Now, Rehoboam was the king of Israel. He was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. He inherited the throne when he was 41 years of age at the death of his father Solomon. The interesting thing is, at the beginning of his reign, his heart was tender toward the Lord, and he was very obedient.

[John Weaver] For instance, look in your Bibles, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles chapter 11 at verses 1 through 4. Let me show you what happened at just simply the word of the prophet of God to Rehoboam. In 2 Chronicles 11 verse 1, and when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered in the house of Judah and Benjamin 104,000 chosen men who were warriors to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. Now the kingdom is split, ten tribes from the Jeroboam, and so Rehoboam now is getting all the warriors together, he's going out to fight and to bring Israel back to himself. Watch verse 2. But the word of the Lord came to Shammai, the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel and Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the Lord, You shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren. Return every man to his house, for this thing is done of me. Watch, and they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going up against Jeroboam.

[John Weaver] So all it took initially, all it took originally was for the man of God to speak to Rehoboam and Rehoboam obeyed. He did not go up and fight. He did not go contrary to the word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, look, if you would please, in verse 17, same chapter, verse 17. 2 Chronicles 11 verse 17, So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong three years. For three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon. So Rehoboam reigned 17 years. And only the first three years, the Bible says, he walked after the ways of David and Solomon.

[John Weaver] So the question has to be asked. What happened? In other words, those first three years, evidently, he prepared his heart, but the Bible tells us in Second Chronicles, Chapter 12 and verse 14. Now he does evil. Why? Because he prepared not his heart. That kind of sounds familiar, doesn't it? Have you ever known people who are interested in doing right temporarily? Or at least they'll do right for a period of time. And then evidently they grow weary in doing right, or they grow weary in doing that which is obedient to the Word of God, and they cease. Has it ever dawned on you, has it ever entered your mind that weariness in the things of God is a sin? You know what the Bible says? The Bible says in Galatians 6 and verse 9, be not weary with well-doing.

[John Weaver] For in due season we shall reap if we faint not. The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3 verse 13, But ye brethren, be not weary in well doing. And yet somehow we tend to think that if we kept our heart this week, then we can slack off next week. If we read our Bible this week, then we don't have to read it next week. If we prayed today, then we don't have to pray tomorrow. If we watch diligently and kept ourselves from temptation today, well, tomorrow we can give into it.

[John Weaver] It's kind of like the individual who's on a diet and they go three days without eating things they should not. And then on the fourth day, they believe they've been so successful, they're going to reward themselves with a banana split. You understand the concept. Well, people do that in the Christian life. They think that somehow, some way they can do right just for a little period of time, and then it's all right to do wrong, that God's going to overlook it because they've done right for a short period of time.

[John Weaver] No, the truth of the matter is we must strive to have our hearts prepared and we must strive to have our hearts fixed permanently. Now, I realize that that's not going to really happen until our glorification. But the truth of the matter is this, you and I cannot give in or give up in thinking that our preparation is going to only take care of us just for a brief period of time. Let me ask you, has it ever dawned on you that you really do not have to sin? Now, I know that you're going to sin and I know that you're sinners.

[John Weaver] I'm certainly not sitting here teaching sinless perfection. But according to Romans chapter 6, do you realize the Bible says that if we have been in Christ Jesus, if Christ Jesus is our Lord, then we are freed from our servitude to sin. Now, it is true that we sin, but it is also true that we do not necessarily have to sin. You say, how can you say that?

[John Weaver] Well, look in your Bibles to 1 John 2 and verse 1. 1 John 2 verse 1. Look what John wrote to those Christians, 1 John 2 and verse 1. He said it like this. My little children, these things write unto you that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Look what he said. These things I write unto you, my, that you sin not.

[John Weaver] I'm giving you these words, he said, to keep you from sinning. Now, the point I'm trying to make is this, folks. The average Christian, when he wakes up in the morning, he doesn't plan to do evil, he doesn't plan to do wickedness, but somehow he ends up doing it. Somehow he falls into the temptation of the stare and he commits sin. But Johnson, I write these things to you that you might not sin if you prepare your heart, if you fill your heart with the word of God, then he says you're not going to sin. Do you remember? And I've told you this before, but what Dwight Allen Moody had written in the flyleaf of his Bible, I'm certainly not endorsing his theology, but I'm endorsing what he had written in the flyleaf of his Bible. Moody had written there, either this book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book. That's the truth, folks.

[John Weaver] Let me quote to you three verses. Here are three verses that everyone should memorize. Psalm 119, verses 9 through 11. Now just listen carefully. Nick, you listen good too now. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee. O let me not wander from my commandments, Thy word have I hidden in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. Did you hear that? Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? The same is true for an old man as well. Wherewithal shall an old man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee. Oh, let me not wander for thy commandments. Thy word have I hidden in mine heart that I might not sin against thee.

[John Weaver] In other words, it is the word of God that is going to keep us from sinning. Now listen to what. I told you one of the reasons Rehoboam sinned was because he did not prepare his heart. Now the word prepare means to establish. It means to fix. It means to prepare or to apply. And actually the word means a deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time. A deliberate effort. over a prolonged period of time. So when we talk about heart preparation, we're not really talking about something that can be done in a moment of time. It is something that's going to take a good while.

[John Weaver] Let me just try to illustrate it like this. I have convictions today that I never had 40 years ago. And moreover, I have convictions today that I am stronger in than I was five years ago. Why? Because of the truth of the Word of God. Every Christian is like that. Every Christian should be like that. So the idea then is conveying here's a deliberate effort in preparing the heart, biblically speaking.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to Psalm 57. And look at verse 7. Because the word prepared in our Bibles is sometimes translated a different way. I'm going to show it to you. In fact, four times the word prepared is translated fixed. Two of those times it is used here in Psalm 57 and verse 7. Look what David said. David said, My heart is fixed. Oh, God, my heart is fixed.

[John Weaver] I will sing and give praise. Now, what's that? My heart is fixed. Oh, God, my heart is fixed.

[John Weaver] Now, the question has got to be asked. Why is David saying that? What is the incident surrounding it? How do we know what David is talking about? I want you to look back at the heading of the psalm. Most of your psalms have headings. Look what it says. To the chief musician, Al-Tashish, midget of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Now, Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding from Saul in the cave. Remember, Saul was chasing David, trying to kill him. Now, hold Psalm 57, but go back in your Bibles to 1 Samuel, chapter 24. 1 Samuel, chapter 24.

[John Weaver] And let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Samuel 24, verse 1. Notice, if you would please, here's the history. And it came to pass when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of Israel and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheep coast by the way, where was a cave, and Saul went in to cover his feet, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the minute David said unto him, Behold, the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privately. And it came to pass afterwards that David's heart smote him because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto the men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

[John Weaver] So David stayed his servants with these words and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave and went on his way. Now, there's more to this story, but notice David and his men are hiding in the cave. Saul comes in and the Bible says he came into the cave to cover his feet. I know a preacher who was speaking to a group of Christians and he was talking about the fact how Saul had some type of suffering or he had thin blood because he had cold feet and he went into the cave to cover his feet and I sat there and my mouth fell open. When he got through, I walked up to him and I said, May I tell you what Saul was doing in the cave? He said, well, sure. He went in to warm his feet.

[John Weaver] I said, no, you weren't raised on a farm. Covering the feet means he was going to the bathroom. That's why Saul went in the cave. That's how he covered his feet. And while he was using the bathroom, David slipped up and cut off part of the garment because it was laying on the ground. And of course, he hit his head like that, he said, oh, no. He said, I've used this illustration all over the country, you know. But now watch this.

[John Weaver] Here's the point of it. David is in the cave. Saul is in a helpless and defensive position. Why was Saul chasing David? So that he could kill David. Now David has the perfect opportunity to kill his enemy. Here is men saying, look, God has delivered him into your hand. He's helpless. He's defenseless. Kill him! David said, I'm not going to kill him. I'm not going to touch him. He's the Lord's anointed. God anointed him to be king. Later on, David said it like this.

[John Weaver] His time shall come that he'll die in battle. Or God will kill him some other way. My hand is not going to be upon him. I'm not going to kill him.

[John Weaver] Now go back in your Bibles to Psalm 57. I want you to watch this. Here was David's heart preparation. I want you to look at this. David was not going to have the kingdom by violence. David was not going to have the kingdom by murder. Now, true, probably it would not have been classified as murder. Although Saul was very helpless and very defenseless at that particular point. But the truth of the matter is this, David said, I'm not going to touch him. He's God's king.

[John Weaver] God can kill him in his time. Now, go back to Psalm 57. I want you to note that Saul was wicked and violent toward David. In fact, David said it like this in verse four, My soul is among lions. And I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men whose teeth are spheres and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. But be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens.

[John Weaver] Let thy glory be above all the earth. They, that is Saul and his group, have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They have digged a pit for me. And in the midst of the world, they are falling themselves." David said, they are trying to kill me on every hand. But then he says in verse 7, My heart is fixed, O God. My heart is fixed. What is he saying? I've determined that I'm not going to kill Saul. I'm determined that I'm not going to have the kingdom anyway, except God giving me the kingdom. Here's the point. David had already prepared his heart to know what he would do and what he would not do. Had David's heart not been prepared, he may have succumbed to the pressure to rid himself very quickly of his enemy. But no, he prepared his heart. He said, I'm not going to do that. When David said, my heart is fixed, I told you it's the same word as prepared.

[John Weaver] It means to be established. It means to be fixed, to be prepared, to be arranged, to be settled. David said, I've already settled my heart. I'm not going to kill him. You look up the word fixed in our dictionaries. It means to be firmly in position, stationary. It means not to be subject to change or variation. It means to be firmly held in the mind. Do you realize that one of the keys in preparing our hearts is to determine beforehand what we shall do or shall not do in any given situation?

[John Weaver] You say, sometimes I don't even think about these things. What do you want to think about? You want to think about them. I wonder. With Joseph's situation. With Potiphar's wife making the place for him that she did, do you not think that he thought about that situation? What am I going to do if? And sure, he thought about it. And when she laid hold of his robe, he let her have the robe and ran out of the room.

[John Weaver] Part of our heart preparation is determining beforehand what we will and what we will not do. Now, listen carefully. A prepared heart can do that which is right even in the most serious, heart-wrenching and life-threatening circumstances. Why? Because we've made up our minds, we are going to do what's right. A prepared heart keeps us from getting into temptation, no matter how beneficial and how enticing it appears.

[John Weaver] We prepare our hearts not only by breaking up the fallow ground, that is ridding them of sin and wickedness and rebellion, but also by sowing the good seed of the word of God in them. That's when we, by the grace of God, are determined to do that which is right in every situation.

[John Weaver] Now, thirdly today, here's my third point on this message, the reality of heart preparation. I've given you the rise of heart preparation, the responsibility of heart preparation, so now we come to the reality of it. And let me ask this question, how do I know whether or not my heart is truly prepared. Let me make it a little more personal. How do I know whether or not your heart is truly prepared? He said, come on out, Brother Weaver. Nobody but God knows the heart.

[John Weaver] No, the Bible doesn't say that. I know only God knows the heart perfectly. I know the Bible does say that man looketh upon the outward, but God looketh upon the heart. But the Bible nowhere says that only God knows the heart. I can know your heart and you can know my heart. How? Because the Bible says in Proverbs 23 and verse 7, as a man thinketh in his heart, what? So is he. Do you realize your actions reveal what is in your heart? Your attitude reveals what is in your heart. Your words reveal what is in your heart. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. What we are in reality in our hearts will be manifested and demonstrated by our actions.

[John Weaver] Now, look in your Bibles, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles 19 and verse 3. Let me demonstrate what I'm trying to teach you. 2 Chronicles 19. Watch, if you would please, verse 3. Here's the statement concerning Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles chapter 19 and verse 3, the Word of God says, Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. So the prophet tells Jehoshaphat, you've prepared your heart to seek God. How did the prophet know Jehoshaphat had prepared his heart to seek God? Well, the answer is because he had taken the groves out of the land.

[John Weaver] You say he cut down a bunch of trees? Well, let me tell you something. The word groves there is literally wooden images. What exactly were these wooden images? Well, the word refers to the Asherah. Another word is the Astarte. An Asherah or Astarte, sometimes Ashtara, was a Phoenician goddess, or an image of a Phoenician goddess, the Asherah, which was a fertility goddess, who supposedly was the mother of Baal, whose worship was concentrated in Syria and Canaan, and the wooden object represented that worship. Our King James Bible translates this usually as groves, except where it gives it as ashtoreth. So the Asherah then existed in southern and northern kingdoms of Israel. Jezebel of Tyre apparently installed the worship of Asherah in the north when she married Ahab in 1 Kings chapter 18.

[John Weaver] Now the principal symbols of this deity were located in Samaria and Bethel and in Jerusalem. Now look in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 14 First Kings chapter fourteen, let me show you what this was first King chapter fourteen and notice if you would please verse twenty three. First Kings fourteen verse twenty three. Watch carefully. That's the first Kings fourteen verse twenty three. For they, that is the people, also built them high places and images and groves on every high hill and under every green tree. So they built them groves.

[John Weaver] What were they building themselves? They were building themselves these wooden objects which were used in the worship of Asherah. These were nothing more than out-of-the-way, secret places for sexual sins, where the sexual sin was done in honor and in worship of a Shearer. So now, how do we know that Jehoshaphat prepared his heart to the Lord? Because he was getting rid of idolatry and immorality. By the way, I hope you understand that idolatry and immorality always go hand in hand.

[John Weaver] You cannot have one without the other. So Jehoshaphat then put away these wooden objects. He was putting away idolatry and immorality.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to understand. Here is the negative side of preparing the heart. This is still basically what is known as breaking up your fellow ground. The negative side of preparing the heart is nothing more than dealing with the sins in your life, and the sins in your family, and the sins and wickedness that you know of and that you have a responsibility to deal with. That is the negative aspect. What is the positive aspect of preparing the heart?

[John Weaver] Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Ezra. Ezra, Nehemiah, Ezra chapter 7. Very quickly, and look at verse 10. I quoted this verse last week as well. Ezra 7 and verse 10. Look what the Bible says concerning Ezra. Ezra 7 verse 10. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Now I want you to note, Ezra prepared his heart, the Bible says first of all, to seek the law of the Lord.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you a question. Why did Ezra prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord? So that he might what do it. And then secondly, that he might teach it. You know, the real reason you want to study the word of God. So you can obey it. So you can apply it. It doesn't do you any good to memorize Scripture just to, quote, to improve your intellect and to demonstrate your ability to quote Scripture. Scripture is given for application in our lives and for obedience to the Lord. So Ezra then, the Bible says, prepared his heart to seek the Lord, the Lord God, that he might actually do it. and that he might actually teach the commandments.

[John Weaver] Now, look in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 1 and verse 1. Let me just show you still continually the positive side of preparing the heart. In Romans 1 and verse 1, the Bible says this. Here's an identical truth given by the apostle Paul. He says, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. Now, note that phrase separated under the gospel of God. Let me ask you, had not Paul separated himself from Judaism? Yes. Had not Paul separated himself from sin and rebellion and wickedness? Yes. Well, why does it not say that in Romans 1 in verse 1? Because it's not telling what Paul separated himself from, but what Paul separated himself unto. In other words, there is a negative and there is a positive. It is not enough, listen carefully, it is not enough to turn from sin. We must turn to the Lord. Look in your Bibles, 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

[John Weaver] As you're turning there, do you remember the story that our Lord gave concerning the man who swept and garnished his own house and kicked the evil spirit out? And the evil spirit walked about and then he said, I'll return to my own house. And finally, he swept and garnished. He carried more. evil spirits more wicked than himself with evil. Which shows you the absolute valuelessness of self-reformation.

[John Weaver] In other words, it does you no good to turn from unless you turn unto. And the Bible tells you in 1 Thessalonians, look there if you would please, chapter 1 and verse 9, look what Paul wrote concerning these Thessalonican Christians. He says, for they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you. In other words, you demonstrated the truth, watch, and how you turn to God from idols to serve the living and the true God. They didn't just simply turn from idols. That's the negative. They turned to God. That's the positive. And then they serve the one true and the living God. So in preparing the heart, There is the positive as well as the negative.

[John Weaver] Now, I told you last week that there was another phrase that I wanted to incorporate in explaining heart preparation, and that phrase was found in 2 Chronicles 27 and verse 6. And it just simply says this. So Jotham became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. Now, it doesn't say he prepared his heart. Says he prepared his ways.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you a question. Is it possible to prepare your ways? Without preparing your heart. And the answer is no, because a prepared heart will always seek prepared ways. Let me explain it like this. You know, the Bible says in Psalm 37 and verse 23. That the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way." Now listen to that. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. So once you have a prepared heart, you have prepared ways. He says, the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his ways. And I've often been asked concerning that verse, who is the he? Is that God? delighting in the ways of the man? Or is that man delighting in the ways of God? And the answer is, it's both. Now listen to that. The steps of a good man ordered by the Lord, and he delighted in his ways. Certainly, God delights in a good man walking obediently. And certainly, a good man walking obediently delights to do that.

[John Weaver] He delights to do that which is right and pleasing to God. Let me illustrate still what I mean by a prepared heart seeks a prepared way. Let's suppose that you and I wanted to commit the sin of drunkenness. And I'll confess to you I've never been drunk in my entire life. Don't plan on starting now. Told you before, I've never had a beer in my entire life. Don't plan on starting now, too late. Okay, now watch this. Although I've never been drunk, I know how to get drunk. You know how to get drunk. If we really wanted to get drunk, we would prepare a way to get drunk.

[John Weaver] How would we do that? We would visit all the bars. We'd visit all the liquor stores. We'd visit all the friends who had plenty at home, and then we would visit our own shelf where we kept plenty of it. In other words, if I really, genuinely wanted to get drunk, I would leave early enough in the evening to make all the rounds, and by the time I got home, I could assure you I'd be good and soused.

[John Weaver] Now, that's just a silly illustration, but Let's suppose you and I do not want to commit the sin of drunkenness. What are we going to do? We're going to avoid the bars. We're going to avoid the liquor stores. We're going to avoid the homes of people who drink too much. You see what I'm saying? If you and I really and truly want to avoid drunkenness, we've got to prepare our way So that we're not going to be tempted and that we're not going to be falling into that.

[John Weaver] There is preparation that needed to be made. Let me go further. If I am going to be holy and pure in my thoughts, as well as in my life. I must not only avoid pornography. But lustful situations, suggestive movies and compromising situations.

[John Weaver] Now, Alice and I were talking about this last evening. And let me explain something about pornography. Let me tell you why it is so vicious and so wicked. Do you realize pornography may start out just merely as pleasing and tentilating to the flesh? And give you all kind of thoughts that might excite you. But let me tell you. The Bible says in Romans chapter 1 talking about certain people, they were burned out. Pretty soon, what you and I would call normal pornography will no longer excite you because you've been burned out. Then it takes something else, pedophilia, or then it takes bestiality.

[John Weaver] You see what I'm saying? Until finally, you are totally consumed. Now, here's the point. If I don't want to end up like that, I must prepare myself and say, I'm not even going to start. I'm not going to look at it. I'm not going to indulge in it. I'm going to determine that I will keep my heart and my mind pure. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Proverbs 4. I told you we were going to come back there. Look at it, Proverbs 4.

[John Weaver] And let's begin reading there with verse twenty-three. Proverbs four, verse twenty-three. Watch carefully. Proverbs four, verse twenty-three, the Word of God says, Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Now, here's my question. How do I know whether or not I'm keeping my heart? How do I know whether or not you're keeping your heart? Well, let's look at it. Proverbs 4, verse 23. Look carefully. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Go further.

[John Weaver] Put away from thee a froward mouth and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyelids look right on, let thine eyes look right on, let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet. Let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left. Remove thy foot from evil. Now watch carefully. Keep thy heart with all diligence. How do I know whether or not I'm keeping my heart? Well, if I'm keeping my heart, verse 24, I'll put away from me a forward mouth and perverse lips. If I'm keeping my heart, according to verse 25, my eyes will look right on and my eyelids will look straight before me. If I'm keeping my heart, I'll ponder the path of my feet and I'll let all my ways be established or prepared. If I'm keeping my heart, I'll not turn to the right hand or to the left. I'll remove my foot from evil. I'll do that which is right. Do you see that? Now, if I'm not keeping my heart, I will not do any of those things.

[John Weaver] If we're keeping our hearts, we're guarding them, we're pondering The path of our feet, we're trying to establish our ways, prepare our ways so that we will not sit against God. So if we're going to do that, which is right and holy, we've got to say, Lord. Our hearts must be prepared.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you a simple question. If you are going to obey God. How can you obey him if you don't know his word? How can you please him? If you don't know what pleases him and what displeases him. Follow me. So the point I'm trying to make is in the positive side of repairing the heart, we must learn to use the means that God has ordained That is, personal study of his word, prayer, communion with the saints, and above all, the preaching of the word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, please, to Romans chapter 10 and verse 17, because here's a passage about everyone can quote. Romans 10, verse 17, and I'll tell you what, go ahead and turn in your Bibles. to Ephesians chapter four, because we're going to be looking there next. So turn to Romans chapter 10 and then to Ephesians chapter four, because this is a very important part of heart preparation. Notice, if you would please, Romans 10, verse 17, the Bible said, So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So now. If I wish to increase my faith, I must only exercise my faith. I must make sure. That I hear the word of God. Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what most people do is they'll say, well, what I'll do is I'll get me some CDs of the Bible and I'll just put them on and I'll listen to the Bible being read and I'm hearing the word of God.

[John Weaver] Well, I'm certainly not. Condemning that I think you should hear all the Bible that you can hear. But that is not what this context is speaking about. You say, well, what is the context speaking about? Well, go back in your Bibles to Romans 10 and verse 13. Watch carefully, Romans 10 verse 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

[John Weaver] And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? Watch and how shall they hear without a preacher and how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things. But they have not all obeyed the gospel, as Isaiah said, the Lord who had believed our report, so that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God."

[John Weaver] Now the question is, in the context, what is he talking about? He's actually talking about listening to preaching. He's talking about listening to the word preached. Not just to the word read, but to the word preached. Let me make a statement that will prove it to you from the Bible. There are things, there are truths that you will learn from the public preaching of the Word of God that you will never learn through private Bible study. I'm not denigrating private Bible study. You should study your Bible privately. You should read it. You should Do everything you can to learn it and grasp it, but that still does not negate the fact there are truths that you learn from preaching that you will never learn any other place.

[John Weaver] You say, how can that be? Well, look in Ephesians chapter four, beginning there with verse eleven, Ephesians four, verse eleven. Look what the Bible says. And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some actually they're together, pastor, teachers, Why did God give these gifts to the church? Here's why. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity, the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man under the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that we henceforth

[John Weaver] be no more children tossed to and fro and cared about with every wind of doctrine by the slight of man, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Now, notice why he gave some pastor-teachers. Why? For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

[John Weaver] Now, let me ask you. If pastor-teachers were given for the edifying and building up of the body, is it reasonable to assume that you can be built up and edified without pastor-teachers? And the answer is no. No. Because pastor-teachers are God's gift to His church.

[John Weaver] Now, let me explain something. This makes perfect sense. If I want to know something about anatomy, I'm going to go talk to Dr. Brissies. That's their field. That's their life. If I want to know something about veterinary medicine, I'm going to go talk to Dr. Holmes. That's his field. That's his life. If you want to know something about preaching and teaching and the Bible, usually you would go to a pastor. And I'm talking about a real, genuine pastor. Why? Because that's his life.

[John Weaver] Now, let me illustrate this. Can I learn anything about chiropractic? Well, sure I can. But do you think I could become a master in chiropractic If I only studied it five minutes a day, no. Could I become a great veterinarian just by studying veterinary medicine five minutes a day? No. Are you going to grasp the truths of God's Word just simply studying it five, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, even an hour a day? No. The point is this, God has chosen men who have given their lives to studying truth. And usually those men are going to have far more truth than someone who just simply reads a scripture a day or a passage a day and goes on his way to work.

[John Weaver] Now, that's only common sense, folks, that's biblical sense. You know, the Bible says in Titus one in verse three, that God chose to manifest his word through preaching. Did you know the Bible said it's by the foolishness of preaching, God chose to save those who believe. By the way, I'll show you this from the Bible. Do you realize there are three things that are absolutely necessary to perfect you or mature you in Jesus Christ?

[John Weaver] You say, what are they? Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Colossians. Just over it. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Colossians 1 and look in verse 28. Here are the three things that are absolutely needed and necessary to mature you in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul says concerning Christ, whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect, that is, or mature and complete in Jesus Christ. Now, what three things are absolutely necessary to present a man perfect or mature and complete in Jesus Christ? Preaching, warning, or euthanic confrontation, and teaching. Paul says you must have preaching, you must have admonishment, and you must have teaching.

[John Weaver] You cannot arrive at maturity without it. So it's the preached word then that increases our faith. It's the preached word that is heard and applied that increases our faith. Make a suggestion and think about this. Do you realize if most Christians would be faithful to the preaching and the exposition of the Word of God, and then once they heard it, if they applied it to their lives, Most counselors.

[John Weaver] Would go out of business. Even Christian counselors. In fact, I know pastors who do not even engage in private counseling. And their attitude is this, you won't counsel. Come to Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night services, that's where I do my counseling. In other words, and in one sense of the word, folks, that's really true. I don't quite go that far because I know there are some people like me that might need to hear the same truth three or four times, you know. But the fact is, folks, if we listen and if we applied, if we obeyed, we wouldn't have near the problems that we have.

[John Weaver] We must have preaching, we must have teaching, and we must have admonishment. Now, let me make some applications, and I'm going to try to tie this to a close and bring it to a close. There's a negative and there's a positive side to heart preparation. The negative side, of course, is breaking up our calabria. The positive side is finding out what God's will and God's word is in preparing our ways.

[John Weaver] It is our duty to seek God to prepare our hearts. Ours is the responsibility, His is the ability. Psalm 10 verse 17 says this, Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their hearts. Do you realize if you seek God to prepare your heart, He said your heart will be prepared. Those who seek Him will not be disappointed. Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart." So if we come to God and say, God, we want grace to fulfill our responsibilities. We want grace to not sin against Thee. We want grace to do what's right. God said, I'm going to give it to you. God is far more interested in you doing right than you're interested in doing right. And if you seek Him to prepare your heart, you're going to find The second application is this.

[John Weaver] Whenever we use the means that God has ordained, whether it's private study in the Word of God, whether it's prayer, whether it's fellowship with the saints, whether it's the public preaching of the Word of God, we must use those means with entire dependence upon Him, trusting Him to make those means effectual in our hearts. All of my Bible reading will be useless unless God opens my eyes. All of my prayer will be vain unless I pray in the spirit and in according to the will of God. See what I'm saying? Whenever and whatever means I use, I must use those means in entire dependence upon God to make them effectual.

[John Weaver] Now, thirdly, And I want you to turn in your Bibles to First Chronicles chapter four. As you turn there, I'm going to give you this third illustration and application. First Chronicles chapter four. One of the things that we need to determine. In our hearts is that we're not going to sin against God.

[John Weaver] Now, I realize, folks, there are sins of ignorance. And I know that we can sin ignorantly and not even know that we sin. I understand that. But I'm not talking about sins of ignorance. I'm talking about when you and I are faced with something that we know that is wrong. We know it's wrong to steal. We know it's wrong to commit adultery. We know it's wrong to murder. We know it's wrong to defraud. We know it's wrong not to keep our word. We know it's wrong not to pay our debts. So we have to determine in our heart that we're not going to sin against God. Now listen carefully.

[John Weaver] We must only pray to that end. We must prepare our ways to that end and practice those ways. You say, what are you talking about? That is, we must learn to stand against the smaller temptations. The smaller sins. It's just like Lot when he was crying to the angel and he said, oh, let me escape the Zillard to this city over here. Is it not a little one?

[John Weaver] See, that's the way we do it. Well, this is just a little sin. It really doesn't matter that much. Well, let me tell you something, folks. If you can't stand against the little sins, how in the world are you going to ever stand against the big sins? And do you realize, if you learn to stand against the smaller temptations, every huge, every large temptation is only made up of a series of smaller temptations. And if you've already practiced resisting sin in the smaller ones, you'll be more determined when the larger one comes along. You say, I am not going to do that. I am not going to sin against God.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to look in First Chronicles chapter four and verse 10. at Jabez. This ought to be our prayer. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, look at this prayer, O that thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldst keep me from evil, that it might not greed me. Are you listening? And God granted him. that which He requested.

[John Weaver] Let me tell you something, people. I want the blessing of God. And I want my coast enlarged. But whether God ever enlarges my coast, or whether He ever blesses me abundantly, I still want to be delivered from evil. That He would keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me. I have heard people all my life give raving testimonies of how God delivered them from whoredom, how God delivered them from drunkenness, how God delivered them from dope and all this kind of stuff. And I mean down in the gutter and God raised them up. I'm thankful for everyone that God has ever raised up and ever saved, but I'm going to tell you folks, I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter, and still save me by His grace. You don't have to lie in the gutter to be saved. And we can learn to pray with Jabez that God's hand would be upon us, that He would enlarge our coast, that He would bless us, and that He would keep us from evil, that it might not grieve us.

[John Weaver] It seems to me our Lord said something similarly, pray that ye enter not into temptation. And then when He taught us to pray, deliver us from evil, We need to determine in our hearts we're not going to sin against God. If our hearts are prepared, our ways shall be prepared as well. We'll look for a way to obey God and stand against wickedness. Let's pray. Father, we thank Thee for the Lord Jesus Christ today. We thank Thee for His so great salvation.

[John Weaver] His bountiful mercy to us. And Lord, we are so thankful for Your providence, Your provision, and Your protection. But Lord, above all today, we pray that Thou wouldst keep us from evil, that it might not grieve us, that we might not sin against Thee. Make us holy as Thou art holy. Enable us to bring our lives in conformity to Your Word In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen. Amen.

Prepared Hearts Part 2

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	111104103946
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations: Prepared Hearts
Genre	Sermon
Date	2004-10-31
Dictation Name
Book	Book 166: Prepared Hearts — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	88

Formatted Transcript

Review of Part 1: Rise and Responsibility of Heart Preparation

Weaver reviews that heart preparation originates from God (Proverbs 16:1) and that we are responsible to seek Him to break up our fallow ground (Hosea 10:12).

Well, let's open our Bibles today, if you would please, to two passages: Proverbs 16 and Hosea chapter 10. Proverbs 16, Hosea chapter 10. Now, for those of you who were not here last week, you're getting in on the second part of a two-part message, but I will certainly take enough time to review and hopefully bring you up to par very quickly. Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 1, and then Hosea 10 and verse 12. Proverbs 16, verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 16:1

"The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord."

Now, note that first part:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 16:1

"The preparations of the heart in man are from the Lord."

And then, if you look in your Bibles to the book of Hosea chapter 10 and verse 12, the Word of God says, "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."

Now, last week, I began the message by asking a leading question, and that question was simply this: Why are there so many failures in the Christian's life? And in the multitude of Christians' lives—in fact, on the way over here today, Kathy and I were talking, and she was telling us about a preacher who was having severe problems, I mean scriptural problems. And yet these things ought not to be and should not be. So you have to ask, why in the world do most Christians face all of these problems and all of these failures? One of the answers comes back: they never prepare their heart, and they never seek God to prepare their heart. Now, last week, I covered two points. I showed, first of all, the rise of heart preparation. That is, if our hearts are ever prepared, God must prepare them. That's why the Scripture says, "The preparations of the heart in man are from the Lord." If our hearts are ever prepared to pray, God prepared them to pray. If our hearts are prepared to live right, God prepared us to live right. If our hearts are prepared to repent, God prepared us to repent.

We cannot do these things in and of ourselves. Even the doctrine of total depravity necessitates that everything originate with God. And that's why Scripture says, "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things." So everything is of him originally, through him providentially, and to him ultimately. And the second point I made was the responsibility of heart preparation. Although the grace belongs to God, the responsibility belongs to us. That's why in Hosea 10 and verse 12, he says that we're to break up our fallow ground. I pointed out that the word "fallow" refers to that ground that had been unbroken, that ground that is hard and firmly packed.

In Jeremiah chapter 4, Jeremiah said basically the same thing. He said, "Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." And the whole point of this was: it is our responsibility to seek the Lord to enable us to deal with the sins and the wickedness and the bitterness and the resentment and anything in our lives that are contrary to the Word of God. It is our responsibility. We cannot do one thing apart from him. So God is certainly not going to repent for us, although he gives us the grace of repentance. God is not going to believe for us, although he gives us the grace of faith. It is our responsibility, and it is our responsibility to seek him for grace to fulfill our responsibilities.

So I gave you just simply the rise of heart preparation and the responsibility of heart preparation. Now, one of the greatest failings in the Christian's life is the failing to obey the command of God in Proverbs 4 and verse 23. I want you to go back there very quickly. In fact, you can mark this passage because we will come back to this passage before the message is over. In Proverbs 4, look, if you would please, at verse 23. The Word of God just simply says this:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 4:23

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Now, note the phrase,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 4:23

"Keep thy heart with all diligence."

Now, the word "keep" literally means to guard and protect. In fact, the Hebrew is very emphatic. Literally, it says, "Keep above all things" or "set double guards around your heart." So you and I then are accountable and responsible to keep our heart. Once our heart has been prepared, we're responsible to keep it prepared. Now, I concluded the message last week by giving a comparison between farming and keeping the heart.

The Necessity of Continual Heart Keeping

Using Proverbs 4:23, Weaver emphasizes that we must guard our hearts continually, not relying on past repentance, just as farming requires ongoing preparation.

When God says, "Break up the fallow ground," I pointed out the fact that you cannot continue to reap fruit and to live off harvest that you picked ten years ago. In other words, the ground must continually be prepared and harvest must continually be planted, that is, if you are going to have any fruit. Likewise, with the Christian life, you and I cannot live off repentance that we gave ten years ago, or six months ago, or prayers that we did two weeks ago. Just like the ground must constantly and continually be prepared in farming, our hearts likewise must constantly be continually prepared. When we cease to keep our hearts, we cease to prepare our hearts.

Now, God is the source and origination of all true heart preparation. But as I pointed out last week, the responsibility to seek him, to prepare our hearts, is ours. The ability is his, and the responsibility is ours. When we fail to seek him, to give us grace to fulfill our responsibility, we fail in keeping and preparing our hearts. Now, let me give you a good illustration. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Chronicles, chapter 12 and verse 14. I used this passage last week just quoting it, but I want to go a little further with it this week. Look in 2 Chronicles, chapter 12 and verse 14.

Here we read about Rehoboam. Look what the Bible says. 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14: "And he," that is King Rehoboam,

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 12:14

"did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."

Rehoboam: A Warning of Unprepared Heart

Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord, despite initially obeying God. This illustrates the danger of ceasing to prepare the heart.

Here we read about Rehoboam. Look what the Bible says. 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14: "And he," that is King Rehoboam, "did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord." Now, here's a very clear statement. The reason Rehoboam did that which was wicked, wrong, and evil was he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. Now, Rehoboam was the king of Israel. He was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. He inherited the throne when he was 41 years of age at the death of his father Solomon. The interesting thing is, at the beginning of his reign, his heart was tender toward the Lord, and he was very obedient.

For instance, look in your Bibles, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles chapter 11 at verses 1 through 4. Let me show you what happened at just simply the word of the prophet of God to Rehoboam. In 2 Chronicles 11 verse 1:

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

"And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam."

Now the kingdom is split, ten tribes to Jeroboam, and so Rehoboam now is getting all the warriors together, he's going out to fight and to bring Israel back to himself. Watch verse 2:

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

"But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me."

Watch:

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

"And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam."

So all it took initially, all it took originally was for the man of God to speak to Rehoboam, and Rehoboam obeyed. He did not go up and fight. He did not go contrary to the word of God. Now, look, if you would please, in verse 17, same chapter, verse 17. 2 Chronicles 11 verse 17:

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:17

"So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon."

So Rehoboam reigned 17 years. And only the first three years, the Bible says, he walked after the ways of David and Solomon.

So the question has to be asked: What happened? In other words, those first three years, evidently, he prepared his heart, but the Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14, now he does evil. Why? Because he prepared not his heart. That kind of sounds familiar, doesn't it? Have you ever known people who are interested in doing right temporarily? Or at least they'll do right for a period of time. And then evidently they grow weary in doing right, or they grow weary in doing that which is obedient to the Word of God, and they cease. Has it ever dawned on you, has it ever entered your mind that weariness in the things of God is a sin? You know what the Bible says? The Bible says in Galatians 6 and verse 9, "Be not weary in well doing."

The Call to Permanent Heart Fixing

Weaver argues that Christians must strive for a permanently fixed heart, not temporary obedience, and that weariness in well-doing is sin.

"For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3 verse 13, "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." And yet somehow we tend to think that if we kept our heart this week, then we can slack off next week. If we read our Bible this week, then we don't have to read it next week. If we prayed today, then we don't have to pray tomorrow. If we watched diligently and kept ourselves from temptation today, well, tomorrow we can give into it. It's kind of like the individual who's on a diet and they go three days without eating things they should not. And then on the fourth day, they believe they've been so successful, they're going to reward themselves with a banana split. You understand the concept. Well, people do that in the Christian life. They think that somehow, some way they can do right just for a little period of time, and then it's all right to do wrong, that God's going to overlook it because they've done right for a short period of time.

No, the truth of the matter is we must strive to have our hearts prepared and we must strive to have our hearts fixed permanently. Now, I realize that that's not going to really happen until our glorification. But the truth of the matter is this: you and I cannot give in or give up in thinking that our preparation is going to only take care of us just for a brief period of time. Let me ask you, has it ever dawned on you that you really do not have to sin? Now, I know that you're going to sin and I know that you're sinners.

David's Fixed Heart in the Cave

David's refusal to kill Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24) demonstrates a heart prepared beforehand to do right, even under pressure. Psalm 57:7 shows his heart was fixed.

Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to Psalm 57 and look at verse 7. Because the word "prepared" in our Bibles is sometimes translated a different way. I'm going to show it to you. In fact, four times the word "prepared" is translated "fixed." Two of those times it is used here in Psalm 57 and verse 7. Look what David said. David said, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." "I will sing and give praise." Now, what's that? "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed."

Now, the question has got to be asked: Why is David saying that? What is the incident surrounding it? How do we know what David is talking about? I want you to look back at the heading of the psalm. Most of your psalms have headings. Look what it says: "To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." Now, Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding from Saul in the cave. Remember, Saul was chasing David, trying to kill him. Now, hold Psalm 57, but go back in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 24. 1 Samuel chapter 24.

And let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Samuel 24, verse 1. Notice, if you would please, here's the history.

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 24:1-7

"And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord."

So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. Now, there's more to this story, but notice David and his men are hiding in the cave. Saul comes in, and the Bible says he came into the cave to cover his feet. I know a preacher who was speaking to a group of Christians, and he was talking about the fact how Saul had some type of suffering or he had thin blood because he had cold feet, and he went into the cave to cover his feet. And I sat there and my mouth fell open. When he got through, I walked up to him and I said, "May I tell you what Saul was doing in the cave?" He said, "Well, sure. He went in to warm his feet."

I said, "No, you weren't raised on a farm. Covering the feet means he was going to the bathroom. That's why Saul went in the cave. That's how he covered his feet." And while he was using the bathroom, David slipped up and cut off part of the garment because it was laying on the ground. And of course, he hit his head like that, he said, "Oh, no." He said, "I've used this illustration all over the country," you know. But now watch this. Here's the point of it. David is in the cave. Saul is in a helpless and defenseless position. Why was Saul chasing David? So that he could kill David. Now David has the perfect opportunity to kill his enemy. Here his men are saying, "Look, God has delivered him into your hand. He's helpless. He's defenseless. Kill him!" David said, "I'm not going to kill him. I'm not going to touch him. He's the Lord's anointed. God anointed him to be king." Later on, David said it like this.

"His time shall come that he'll die in battle. Or God will kill him some other way. My hand is not going to be upon him. I'm not going to kill him."

Now go back in your Bibles to Psalm 57. I want you to watch this. Here was David's heart preparation. I want you to look at this. David was not going to have the kingdom by violence. David was not going to have the kingdom by murder. Now, true, probably it would not have been classified as murder, although Saul was very helpless and very defenseless at that particular point. But the truth of the matter is this: David said, "I'm not going to touch him. He's God's king."

God can kill him in his time. Now, go back to Psalm 57. I want you to note that Saul was wicked and violent toward David. In fact, David said it like this in verse 4: "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens." "Let thy glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." David said, "They are trying to kill me on every hand." But then he says in verse 7, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." What is he saying? "I've determined that I'm not going to kill Saul. I'm determined that I'm not going to have the kingdom anyway, except God giving me the kingdom." Here's the point. David had already prepared his heart to know what he would do and what he would not do. Had David's heart not been prepared, he may have succumbed to the pressure to rid himself very quickly of his enemy. But no, he prepared his heart. He said, "I'm not going to do that." When David said, "My heart is fixed," I told you it's the same word as "prepared."

It means to be established. It means to be fixed, to be prepared, to be arranged, to be settled. David said, "I've already settled my heart. I'm not going to kill him." You look up the word "fixed" in our dictionaries. It means to be firmly in position, stationary. It means not to be subject to change or variation. It means to be firmly held in the mind. Do you realize that one of the keys in preparing our hearts is to determine beforehand what we shall do or shall not do in any given situation?

The Reality of Heart Preparation: Evidence in Actions

A prepared heart is known by its fruit: Jehoshaphat removed idols (negative), and Ezra sought the law to do and teach it (positive). True preparation involves turning from sin and turning to God.

Now, thirdly today, here's my third point on this message: the reality of heart preparation. I've given you the rise of heart preparation, the responsibility of heart preparation, so now we come to the reality of it. And let me ask this question: How do I know whether or not my heart is truly prepared? Let me make it a little more personal. How do I know whether or not your heart is truly prepared? He said, "Come on now, Brother Weaver. Nobody but God knows the heart."

No, the Bible doesn't say that. I know only God knows the heart perfectly. I know the Bible does say that man looketh upon the outward, but God looketh upon the heart. But the Bible nowhere says that only God knows the heart. I can know your heart and you can know my heart. How? Because the Bible says in Proverbs 23 and verse 7,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 23:7

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

Do you realize your actions reveal what is in your heart? Your attitude reveals what is in your heart. Your words reveal what is in your heart.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 23:7

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

What we are in reality in our hearts will be manifested and demonstrated by our actions.

Now, look in your Bibles, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles 19 and verse 3. Let me demonstrate what I'm trying to teach you. 2 Chronicles 19. Watch, if you would please, verse 3. Here's the statement concerning Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles chapter 19 and verse 3, the Word of God says,

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 19:3

"Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God."

So the prophet tells Jehoshaphat,

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 19:3

"You've prepared your heart to seek God."

How did the prophet know Jehoshaphat had prepared his heart to seek God? Well, the answer is because he had taken the groves out of the land.

You say, "He cut down a bunch of trees?" Well, let me tell you something. The word "groves" there is literally wooden images. What exactly were these wooden images? Well, the word refers to the Asherah. Another word is the Astarte. An Asherah or Astarte, sometimes Ashtoreth, was a Phoenician goddess, or an image of a Phoenician goddess, the Asherah, which was a fertility goddess, who supposedly was the mother of Baal, whose worship was concentrated in Syria and Canaan, and the wooden object represented that worship. Our King James Bible translates this usually as "groves," except where it gives it as "Ashtoreth." So the Asherah then existed in southern and northern kingdoms of Israel. Jezebel of Tyre apparently installed the worship of Asherah in the north when she married Ahab in 1 Kings chapter 18.

Now the principal symbols of this deity were located in Samaria and Bethel and in Jerusalem. Now look in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 14. 1 Kings chapter 14, let me show you what this was. 1 Kings chapter 14 and notice, if you would please, verse 23. 1 Kings 14 verse 23. Watch carefully. 1 Kings 14 verse 23: "For they," that is the people, "also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree." So they built them groves.

What were they building themselves? They were building themselves these wooden objects which were used in the worship of Asherah. These were nothing more than out-of-the-way, secret places for sexual sins, where the sexual sin was done in honor and in worship of Asherah. So now, how do we know that Jehoshaphat prepared his heart to the Lord? Because he was getting rid of idolatry and immorality. By the way, I hope you understand that idolatry and immorality always go hand in hand. You cannot have one without the other. So Jehoshaphat then put away these wooden objects. He was putting away idolatry and immorality.

Now, I want you to understand. Here is the negative side of preparing the heart. This is still basically what is known as breaking up your fallow ground. The negative side of preparing the heart is nothing more than dealing with the sins in your life, and the sins in your family, and the sins and wickedness that you know of and that you have a responsibility to deal with. That is the negative aspect. What is the positive aspect of preparing the heart? Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Ezra. Ezra, Nehemiah, Ezra chapter 7. Very quickly, and look at verse 10. I quoted this verse last week as well. Ezra 7 and verse 10. Look what the Bible says concerning Ezra. Ezra 7 verse 10:

Scripture Reading — Ezra 7:10

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

Now I want you to note, Ezra prepared his heart, the Bible says first of all, to seek the law of the Lord.

Now, let me ask you a question. Why did Ezra prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord? So that he might do it. And then secondly, that he might teach it. You know, the real reason you want to study the word of God is so you can obey it. So you can apply it. It doesn't do you any good to memorize Scripture just to, quote, improve your intellect and to demonstrate your ability to quote Scripture. Scripture is given for application in our lives and for obedience to the Lord. So Ezra then, the Bible says, prepared his heart to seek the Lord, the Lord God, that he might actually do it, and that he might actually teach the commandments.

Now, look in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 1 and verse 1. Let me just show you still continually the positive side of preparing the heart. In Romans 1 and verse 1, the Bible says this. Here's an identical truth given by the apostle Paul. He says,

Scripture Reading — Romans 1:1

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God."

Now, note that phrase

Scripture Reading — Romans 1:1

"separated unto the gospel of God."

Let me ask you, had not Paul separated himself from Judaism? Yes. Had not Paul separated himself from sin and rebellion and wickedness? Yes. Well, why does it not say that in Romans 1 and verse 1? Because it's not telling what Paul separated himself from, but what Paul separated himself unto. In other words, there is a negative and there is a positive. It is not enough—listen carefully—it is not enough to turn from sin. We must turn to the Lord. Look in your Bibles, 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.

As you're turning there, do you remember the story that our Lord gave concerning the man who swept and garnished his own house and kicked the evil spirit out? And the evil spirit walked about and then he said, "I'll return to my own house." And finally, he swept and garnished, he carried more evil spirits more wicked than himself with him. Which shows you the absolute valuelessness of self-reformation. In other words, it does you no good to turn from unless you turn unto. And the Bible tells you in 1 Thessalonians, look there if you would please, chapter 1 and verse 9. Look what Paul wrote concerning these Thessalonian Christians. He says,

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:9

"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you."

In other words, you demonstrated the truth—watch—

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:9

"and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."

They didn't just simply turn from idols. That's the negative. They turned to God. That's the positive. And then they serve the one true and the living God. So in preparing the heart, there is the positive as well as the negative.

Now, I told you last week that there was another phrase that I wanted to incorporate in explaining heart preparation, and that phrase was found in 2 Chronicles 27 and verse 6. And it just simply says this: "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God." Now, it doesn't say he prepared his heart. It says he prepared his ways.

Prepared Ways Follow a Prepared Heart

Jotham prepared his ways (2 Chronicles 27:6) because a prepared heart leads to prepared ways. We must plan to avoid temptation and pursue holiness.

Now, let me ask you a question. Is it possible to prepare your ways without preparing your heart? And the answer is no, because a prepared heart will always seek prepared ways. Let me explain it like this. You know, the Bible says in Psalm 37 and verse 23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." Now listen to that. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." So once you have a prepared heart, you have prepared ways. He says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his ways." And I've often been asked concerning that verse, "Who is the 'he'? Is that God delighting in the ways of the man? Or is that man delighting in the ways of God?" And the answer is, it's both. Now listen to that. "The steps of a good man ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his ways." Certainly, God delights in a good man walking obediently. And certainly, a good man walking obediently delights to do that.

He delights to do that which is right and pleasing to God. Let me illustrate still what I mean by a prepared heart seeks a prepared way. Let's suppose that you and I wanted to commit the sin of drunkenness. And I'll confess to you I've never been drunk in my entire life. Don't plan on starting now. Told you before, I've never had a beer in my entire life. Don't plan on starting now, too late. Okay, now watch this. Although I've never been drunk, I know how to get drunk. You know how to get drunk. If we really wanted to get drunk, we would prepare a way to get drunk.

How would we do that? We would visit all the bars. We'd visit all the liquor stores. We'd visit all the friends who had plenty at home, and then we would visit our own shelf where we kept plenty of it. In other words, if I really, genuinely wanted to get drunk, I would leave early enough in the evening to make all the rounds, and by the time I got home, I could assure you I'd be good and soused.

Now, that's just a silly illustration, but let's suppose you and I do not want to commit the sin of drunkenness. What are we going to do? We're going to avoid the bars. We're going to avoid the liquor stores. We're going to avoid the homes of people who drink too much. You see what I'm saying? If you and I really and truly want to avoid drunkenness, we've got to prepare our way so that we're not going to be tempted and that we're not going to be falling into that.

There is preparation that needed to be made. Let me go further. If I am going to be holy and pure in my thoughts, as well as in my life, I must not only avoid pornography, but lustful situations, suggestive movies, and compromising situations. Now, Alice and I were talking about this last evening. And let me explain something about pornography. Let me tell you why it is so vicious and so wicked. Do you realize pornography may start out just merely as pleasing and titillating to the flesh? And give you all kind of thoughts that might excite you. But let me tell you, the Bible says in Romans chapter 1 talking about certain people, they were burned out. Pretty soon, what you and I would call normal pornography will no longer excite you because you've been burned out. Then it takes something else, pedophilia, or then it takes bestiality.

You see what I'm saying? Until finally, you are totally consumed. Now, here's the point. If I don't want to end up like that, I must prepare myself and say, "I'm not even going to start. I'm not going to look at it. I'm not going to indulge in it. I'm going to determine that I will keep my heart and my mind pure." Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Proverbs 4. I told you we were going to come back there. Look at it, Proverbs 4.

And let's begin reading there with verse 23. Proverbs 4, verse 23. Watch carefully. Proverbs 4, verse 23, the Word of God says, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Now, here's my question. How do I know whether or not I'm keeping my heart? How do I know whether or not you're keeping your heart? Well, let's look at it. Proverbs 4, verse 23. Look carefully. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Go further.

The Role of Preaching and Teaching in Heart Preparation

Faith comes by hearing the preached word (Romans 10:17). God gave pastor-teachers for maturing the saints (Ephesians 4:11-14). Preaching, warning, and teaching are essential for maturity (Colossians 1:28).

Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, please, to Romans chapter 10 and verse 17, because here's a passage about everyone can quote. Romans 10, verse 17, and I'll tell you what, go ahead and turn in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4, because we're going to be looking there next. So turn to Romans chapter 10 and then to Ephesians chapter 4, because this is a very important part of heart preparation. Notice, if you would please, Romans 10, verse 17, the Bible said,

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:17

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

So now, if I wish to increase my faith, I must not only exercise my faith, I must make sure that I hear the word of God. Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what most people do is they'll say,

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:17

"Well, what I'll do is I'll get me some CDs of the Bible and I'll just put them on and I'll listen to the Bible being read and I'm hearing the word of God."

Well, I'm certainly not condemning that. I think you should hear all the Bible that you can hear. But that is not what this context is speaking about. You say, "Well, what is the context speaking about?" Well, go back in your Bibles to Romans 10 and verse 13. Watch carefully, Romans 10 verse 13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?" "And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Now the question is, in the context, what is he talking about? He's actually talking about listening to preaching. He's talking about listening to the word preached. Not just to the word read, but to the word preached. Let me make a statement that will prove it to you from the Bible. There are things, there are truths that you will learn from the public preaching of the Word of God that you will never learn through private Bible study. I'm not denigrating private Bible study. You should study your Bible privately. You should read it. You should do everything you can to learn it and grasp it, but that still does not negate the fact there are truths that you learn from preaching that you will never learn any other place.

You say, "How can that be?" Well, look in Ephesians chapter 4, beginning there with verse 11. Ephesians 4, verse 11. Look what the Bible says:

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:11-14

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"—actually they're together, pastor-teachers. Why did God give these gifts to the church? Here's why: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Now, notice why he gave some pastor-teachers. Why? "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Now, let me ask you. If pastor-teachers were given for the edifying and building up of the body, is it reasonable to assume that you can be built up and edified without pastor-teachers? And the answer is no. No. Because pastor-teachers are God's gift to His church.

Now, let me explain something. This makes perfect sense. If I want to know something about anatomy, I'm going to go talk to Dr. Brissies. That's their field. That's their life. If I want to know something about veterinary medicine, I'm going to go talk to Dr. Holmes. That's his field. That's his life. If you want to know something about preaching and teaching and the Bible, usually you would go to a pastor. And I'm talking about a real, genuine pastor. Why? Because that's his life.

Now, let me illustrate this. Can I learn anything about chiropractic? Well, sure I can. But do you think I could become a master in chiropractic if I only studied it five minutes a day? No. Could I become a great veterinarian just by studying veterinary medicine five minutes a day? No. Are you going to grasp the truths of God's Word just simply studying it five, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, even an hour a day? No. The point is this: God has chosen men who have given their lives to studying truth. And usually those men are going to have far more truth than someone who just simply reads a scripture a day or a passage a day and goes on his way to work.

Now, that's only common sense, folks, that's biblical sense. You know, the Bible says in Titus 1 and verse 3, that God chose to manifest his word through preaching. Did you know the Bible said it's by the foolishness of preaching, God chose to save those who believe? By the way, I'll show you this from the Bible. Do you realize there are three things that are absolutely necessary to perfect you or mature you in Jesus Christ? You say, "What are they?" Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Colossians. Just over it: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Colossians 1 and look in verse 28. Here are the three things that are absolutely needed and necessary to mature you in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul says concerning Christ, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect," that is, or mature and complete, "in Christ Jesus." Now, what three things are absolutely necessary to present a man perfect or mature and complete in Jesus Christ? Preaching, warning, or euthanic confrontation, and teaching. Paul says you must have preaching, you must have admonishment, and you must have teaching.

You cannot arrive at maturity without it. So it's the preached word then that increases our faith. It's the preached word that is heard and applied that increases our faith. Make a suggestion and think about this. Do you realize if most Christians would be faithful to the preaching and the exposition of the Word of God, and then once they heard it, if they applied it to their lives, most counselors

Applications: Seeking God, Using Means Dependently, and Praying Against Evil

We must seek God to prepare our hearts (Psalm 10:17), use all means in dependence on Him, and pray like Jabez to be kept from evil (1 Chronicles 4:10).

It is our duty to seek God to prepare our hearts. Ours is the responsibility, His is the ability. Psalm 10 verse 17 says this: "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart." Do you realize if you seek God to prepare your heart, He said your heart will be prepared. Those who seek Him will not be disappointed. "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart." So if we come to God and say, "God, we want grace to fulfill our responsibilities. We want grace to not sin against Thee. We want grace to do what's right," God said, "I'm going to give it to you." God is far more interested in you doing right than you're interested in doing right. And if you seek Him to prepare your heart, you're going to find. The second application is this.

Whenever we use the means that God has ordained, whether it's private study in the Word of God, whether it's prayer, whether it's fellowship with the saints, whether it's the public preaching of the Word of God, we must use those means with entire dependence upon Him, trusting Him to make those means effectual in our hearts. All of my Bible reading will be useless unless God opens my eyes. All of my prayer will be vain unless I pray in the Spirit and according to the will of God. See what I'm saying? Whenever and whatever means I use, I must use those means in entire dependence upon God to make them effectual.

Now, thirdly, and I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 4. As you turn there, I'm going to give you this third illustration and application. 1 Chronicles chapter 4. One of the things that we need to determine in our hearts is that we're not going to sin against God.

Now, I realize, folks, there are sins of ignorance. And I know that we can sin ignorantly and not even know that we sin. I understand that. But I'm not talking about sins of ignorance. I'm talking about when you and I are faced with something that we know that is wrong. We know it's wrong to steal. We know it's wrong to commit adultery. We know it's wrong to murder. We know it's wrong to defraud. We know it's wrong not to keep our word. We know it's wrong not to pay our debts. So we have to determine in our heart that we're not going to sin against God. Now listen carefully.

We must not only pray to that end, we must prepare our ways to that end and practice those ways. You say, "What are you talking about?" That is, we must learn to stand against the smaller temptations. The smaller sins. It's just like Lot when he was crying to the angel and he said, "Oh, let me escape thither, to this city over here. Is it not a little one?" See, that's the way we do it. "Well, this is just a little sin. It really doesn't matter that much." Well, let me tell you something, folks. If you can't stand against the little sins, how in the world are you going to ever stand against the big sins? And do you realize, if you learn to stand against the smaller temptations, every huge, every large temptation is only made up of a series of smaller temptations. And if you've already practiced resisting sin in the smaller ones, you'll be more determined when the larger one comes along. You say, "I am not going to do that. I am not going to sin against God."

Now, I want you to look in 1 Chronicles chapter 4 and verse 10, at Jabez. This ought to be our prayer. "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" Are you listening? "And God granted him that which he requested." Let me tell you something, people. I want the blessing of God. And I want my coast enlarged. But whether God ever enlarges my coast, or whether He ever blesses me abundantly, I still want to be delivered from evil. That He would keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me. I have heard people all my life give raving testimonies of how God delivered them from whoredom, how God delivered them from drunkenness, how God delivered them from dope and all this kind of stuff. And I mean down in the gutter and God raised them up. I'm thankful for everyone that God has ever raised up and ever saved, but I'm going to tell you folks, I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter, and still save me by His grace. You don't have to lie in the gutter to be saved. And we can learn to pray with Jabez that God's hand would be upon us, that He would enlarge our coast, that He would bless us, and that He would keep us from evil, that it might not grieve us.

Study Guide

Major Themes

God as the Source of Heart Preparation

Summary: True heart preparation originates from God; we cannot prepare our own hearts apart from His grace.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'The preparations of the heart in man are from the Lord' (Proverbs 16:1) and emphasizes that everything is of Him originally.

Human Responsibility in Heart Preparation

Summary: While God gives grace, we are responsible to seek Him, break up fallow ground, and keep our hearts.

Evidence: Weaver cites Hosea 10:12 ('break up your fallow ground') and Proverbs 4:23 ('keep thy heart with all diligence') as commands requiring our action.

The Danger of Temporary Obedience

Summary: Christians often obey for a time but then grow weary; Rehoboam's example shows that ceasing to prepare the heart leads to evil.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'Have you ever known people who are interested in doing right temporarily? ... weariness in the things of God is a sin.'

A Fixed Heart Determines to Obey Beforehand

Summary: A prepared heart makes decisions in advance to do right, as David did when he refused to kill Saul.

Evidence: Weaver explains, 'David had already prepared his heart to know what he would do and what he would not do.'

Evidence of a Prepared Heart: Turning from Sin and to God

Summary: A prepared heart is demonstrated by putting away sin (negative) and actively seeking God's Word (positive).

Evidence: Jehoshaphat removed idols (2 Chronicles 19:3) and Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law (Ezra 7:10).

The Necessity of Preaching for Spiritual Maturity

Summary: God ordained preaching, teaching, and admonishment as essential means for perfecting the saints.

Evidence: Weaver cites Romans 10:17, Ephesians 4:11-14, and Colossians 1:28 to show that faith and maturity come through the preached word.

Dependence on God in All Means of Grace

Summary: Bible reading, prayer, and preaching are only effectual when we depend entirely on God to work through them.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'All of my Bible reading will be useless unless God opens my eyes.'

Prayer for Deliverance from Evil

Summary: We should pray like Jabez to be kept from evil, not just delivered after falling into it.

Evidence: Weaver references 1 Chronicles 4:10 and says, 'I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter.'

Key Arguments

Heart preparation is both divine and human

Summary: God must prepare the heart, but we must seek Him to do so; grace and responsibility work together.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'The ability is his, and the responsibility is ours.'

Continual heart keeping is essential

Summary: We cannot live off past spiritual experiences; the heart must be constantly prepared and guarded.

Evidence: Weaver compares it to farming: 'you cannot continue to reap fruit and to live off harvest that you picked ten years ago.'

Rehoboam's failure proves the necessity of heart preparation

Summary: Rehoboam did evil because he stopped preparing his heart, showing that initial obedience is not enough.

Evidence: 2 Chronicles 12:14: 'he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.'

A fixed heart resists temptation by prior determination

Summary: David's example in the cave shows that deciding beforehand to obey God enables right action under pressure.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Part of our heart preparation is determining beforehand what we will and what we will not do.'

True heart preparation involves both negative and positive aspects

Summary: It is not enough to turn from sin; we must turn to God and His Word, as seen in Jehoshaphat and Ezra.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'It does you no good to turn from unless you turn unto.'

Prepared ways naturally follow a prepared heart

Summary: If the heart is fixed on obeying God, we will plan our ways to avoid temptation and pursue righteousness.

Evidence: Weaver illustrates with drunkenness: 'If you and I really and truly want to avoid drunkenness, we've got to prepare our way.'

Preaching is a divinely ordained means for heart preparation

Summary: Faith and maturity come through the preached word, not just private study; pastor-teachers are God's gift for edification.

Evidence: Weaver argues from Romans 10:17 and Ephesians 4:11-14 that 'there are truths that you learn from preaching that you will never learn any other place.'

We must pray to be kept from evil, not just delivered after falling

Summary: Jabez's prayer (1 Chronicles 4:10) models asking God to prevent sin, which is better than rescue from its consequences.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 16:1

Context: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. Used to show God as the source of heart preparation.

Hosea 10:12

Context: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord. Used to emphasize human responsibility in heart preparation.

Proverbs 4:23

Context: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Cited as the command to guard the heart continually.

2 Chronicles 12:14

Context: And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. Used to illustrate Rehoboam's failure.

2 Chronicles 11:1-4

Context: Rehoboam initially obeyed the prophet Shemaiah and did not fight against Israel. Shows his early obedience.

2 Chronicles 11:17

Context: They walked in the way of David and Solomon three years. Indicates Rehoboam's temporary faithfulness.

Galatians 6:9

Context: Be not weary in well doing. Used to warn against weariness in spiritual duties.

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Context: But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. Reinforces the warning against weariness.

1 John 2:1

Context: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. Shows that Scripture is given to prevent sin.

Psalm 119:9-11

Context: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? ... Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Emphasizes the Word's role in avoiding sin.

Psalm 57:7

Context: My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed. David's declaration of a prepared heart in the cave.

1 Samuel 24:1-7

Context: David spares Saul's life in the cave. Historical background for Psalm 57.

Proverbs 23:7

Context: As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Used to argue that actions reveal the heart.

2 Chronicles 19:3

Context: Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. Jehoshaphat's evidence of heart preparation.

Ezra 7:10

Context: For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Positive example of heart preparation.

Romans 1:1

Context: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. Illustrates positive separation unto God.

1 Thessalonians 1:9

Context: How ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Shows turning from and turning to.

2 Chronicles 27:6

Context: So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. Links prepared ways to a prepared heart.

Romans 10:17

Context: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Used to emphasize the preached word.

Ephesians 4:11-14

Context: God gave pastor-teachers for the perfecting of the saints. Shows the necessity of preaching for maturity.

Historical References

Rehoboam, king of Judah

Context: Son of Solomon, reigned 17 years, did evil because he did not prepare his heart, despite initial obedience.

David sparing Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24)

Context: David refused to kill Saul when he was vulnerable, demonstrating a heart fixed on doing right.

Jehoshaphat removing groves (Asherah poles)

Context: Jehoshaphat's removal of idolatrous wooden images evidenced his prepared heart.

Ezra the scribe

Context: Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law, do it, and teach it, exemplifying positive heart preparation.

Jotham, king of Judah

Context: Jotham became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord, showing the link between heart and ways.

Jabez

Context: Jabez prayed to be kept from evil and was granted his request, a model for seeking God's protection.

Dwight L. Moody

Context: Moody wrote in his Bible: 'Either this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.'

Asherah/Astarte worship

Context: Fertility goddess worship involving wooden images and sexual immorality, which Jehoshaphat removed.

Important Quotes

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

Significance: Foundational verse establishing that heart preparation originates from God.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Significance: Key command for continual heart guarding, central to the message.

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Significance: Positive example of heart preparation leading to action and teaching.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Significance: Emphasizes the role of the preached word in building faith.

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart.

Significance: Promise that God responds to humble seekers by preparing their hearts.

Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

Significance: Jabez's prayer, modeled as a request for preventive grace against sin.

Discussion Questions

Why is it dangerous to rely on past spiritual experiences instead of continually preparing our hearts?

Context: Weaver compares heart preparation to farming, saying we cannot live off harvest from ten years ago.

How does Rehoboam's example challenge the idea that initial obedience guarantees lasting faithfulness?

Context: Rehoboam obeyed for three years but later did evil because he stopped preparing his heart.

What does it mean to have a 'fixed' heart, and how can we cultivate such a determination in advance of temptation?

Context: David's heart was fixed not to kill Saul, showing prior decision-making.

In what ways do our actions and words reveal the true condition of our hearts?

Context: Weaver cites Proverbs 23:7 to argue that the heart is manifested outwardly.

Why is it insufficient to only turn from sin without actively turning to God and His Word?

Context: Weaver uses the analogy of the swept house and 1 Thessalonians 1:9 to stress the positive aspect.

How can we practically 'prepare our ways' to avoid temptation in areas where we are weak?

Context: Weaver illustrates with drunkenness: avoiding bars and liquor stores.

What is the unique role of preaching in heart preparation and spiritual maturity, according to Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1?

Context: Weaver argues that preaching, warning, and teaching are essential for maturity.

How does Jabez's prayer challenge our typical prayers about sin—do we pray more for deliverance after sin or for prevention?

Context: Weaver contrasts testimonies of deliverance from the gutter with the desire to be kept from evil.

Applications

Seek God continually for heart preparation

Summary: We must actively seek God to prepare our hearts, not relying on past grace or experiences.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'It is our responsibility to seek him, to prepare our hearts.'

Guard your heart daily

Summary: Keep your heart with all diligence by constant vigilance and use of God's means.

Evidence: Proverbs 4:23 is cited as a command to set double guards around the heart.

Determine beforehand to obey God in specific situations

Summary: Like David, decide in advance what you will and will not do when faced with temptation.

Evidence: Weaver states, 'Part of our heart preparation is determining beforehand what we will and what we will not do.'

Remove idols and sins from your life

Summary: Negatively, heart preparation involves putting away anything that competes with God, as Jehoshaphat removed the groves.

Evidence: Weaver explains that Jehoshaphat's removal of idols evidenced his prepared heart.

Fill your heart with God's Word

Summary: Positively, prepare your heart by seeking, doing, and teaching Scripture, like Ezra.

Evidence: Ezra 7:10 is given as the model: seek the law, do it, teach it.

Plan your ways to avoid temptation

Summary: If you want to avoid sin, prepare your path by steering clear of compromising situations.

Evidence: Weaver illustrates: 'If you and I really and truly want to avoid drunkenness, we've got to prepare our way.'

Sit under faithful preaching for growth

Summary: Regularly hear the preached Word, as it is a primary means God uses to build faith and maturity.

Evidence: Weaver argues from Romans 10:17 and Ephesians 4 that preaching is essential for edification.

Pray for God to keep you from evil

Summary: Make Jabez's prayer your own, asking God to prevent sin rather than just rescue you from its consequences.

Evidence: Weaver says, 'I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter.'

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:12:01Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T15:18:25Z

Clean Transcript

Prepared Hearts Part 2

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

Well, let's open our Bibles today, if you would please, to two passages: Proverbs 16 and Hosea chapter 10. Proverbs 16, Hosea chapter 10. Now, for those of you who were not here last week, you're getting in on the second part of a two-part message, but I will certainly take enough time to review and hopefully bring you up to par very quickly. Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 1, and then Hosea 10 and verse 12. Proverbs 16, verse 1.
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"The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord." Now, note that first part: "The preparations of the heart in man are from the Lord." And then, if you look in your Bibles to the book of Hosea chapter 10 and verse 12, the Word of God says, "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."
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Now, last week, I began the message by asking a leading question, and that question was simply this: Why are there so many failures in the Christian's life? And in the multitude of Christians' lives—in fact, on the way over here today, Kathy and I were talking, and she was telling us about a preacher who was having severe problems, I mean scriptural problems. And yet these things ought not to be and should not be. So you have to ask, why in the world do most Christians face all of these problems and all of these failures?
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One of the answers comes back: they never prepare their heart, and they never seek God to prepare their heart. Now, last week, I covered two points. I showed, first of all, the rise of heart preparation. That is, if our hearts are ever prepared, God must prepare them. That's why the Scripture says, "The preparations of the heart in man are from the Lord." If our hearts are ever prepared to pray, God prepared them to pray. If our hearts are prepared to live right, God prepared us to live right. If our hearts are prepared to repent, God prepared us to repent.
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We cannot do these things in and of ourselves. Even the doctrine of total depravity necessitates that everything originate with God. And that's why Scripture says, "For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things." So everything is of him originally, through him providentially, and to him ultimately. And the second point I made was the responsibility of heart preparation. Although the grace belongs to God, the responsibility belongs to us. That's why in Hosea 10 and verse 12, he says that we're to break up our fallow ground. I pointed out that the word "fallow" refers to that ground that had been unbroken, that ground that is hard and firmly packed.
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In Jeremiah chapter 4, Jeremiah said basically the same thing. He said, "Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." And the whole point of this was: it is our responsibility to seek the Lord to enable us to deal with the sins and the wickedness and the bitterness and the resentment and anything in our lives that are contrary to the Word of God. It is our responsibility. We cannot do one thing apart from him. So God is certainly not going to repent for us, although he gives us the grace of repentance. God is not going to believe for us, although he gives us the grace of faith. It is our responsibility, and it is our responsibility to seek him for grace to fulfill our responsibilities.
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So I gave you just simply the rise of heart preparation and the responsibility of heart preparation. Now, one of the greatest failings in the Christian's life is the failing to obey the command of God in Proverbs 4 and verse 23. I want you to go back there very quickly. In fact, you can mark this passage because we will come back to this passage before the message is over. In Proverbs 4, look, if you would please, at verse 23. The Word of God just simply says this: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Now, note the phrase, "Keep thy heart with all diligence." Now, the word "keep" literally means to guard and protect. In fact, the Hebrew is very emphatic. Literally, it says, "Keep above all things" or "set double guards around your heart." So you and I then are accountable and responsible to keep our heart. Once our heart has been prepared, we're responsible to keep it prepared. Now, I concluded the message last week by giving a comparison between farming and keeping the heart.
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When God says, "Break up the fallow ground," I pointed out the fact that you cannot continue to reap fruit and to live off harvest that you picked ten years ago. In other words, the ground must continually be prepared and harvest must continually be planted, that is, if you are going to have any fruit. Likewise, with the Christian life, you and I cannot live off repentance that we gave ten years ago, or six months ago, or prayers that we did two weeks ago. Just like the ground must constantly and continually be prepared in farming, our hearts likewise must constantly be continually prepared. When we cease to keep our hearts, we cease to prepare our hearts.
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Now, God is the source and origination of all true heart preparation. But as I pointed out last week, the responsibility to seek him, to prepare our hearts, is ours. The ability is his, and the responsibility is ours. When we fail to seek him, to give us grace to fulfill our responsibility, we fail in keeping and preparing our hearts. Now, let me give you a good illustration. I want you to turn in your Bibles to 2 Chronicles, chapter 12 and verse 14. I used this passage last week just quoting it, but I want to go a little further with it this week. Look in 2 Chronicles, chapter 12 and verse 14.
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Here we read about Rehoboam. Look what the Bible says. 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14: "And he," that is King Rehoboam, "did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."
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Now, here's a very clear statement. The reason Rehoboam did that which was wicked, wrong, and evil was he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. Now, Rehoboam was the king of Israel. He was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. He inherited the throne when he was 41 years of age at the death of his father Solomon. The interesting thing is, at the beginning of his reign, his heart was tender toward the Lord, and he was very obedient.
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For instance, look in your Bibles, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles chapter 11 at verses 1 through 4. Let me show you what happened at just simply the word of the prophet of God to Rehoboam. In 2 Chronicles 11 verse 1: "And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam." Now the kingdom is split, ten tribes to Jeroboam, and so Rehoboam now is getting all the warriors together, he's going out to fight and to bring Israel back to himself. Watch verse 2: "But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me." Watch: "And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam."
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So all it took initially, all it took originally was for the man of God to speak to Rehoboam, and Rehoboam obeyed. He did not go up and fight. He did not go contrary to the word of God.
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Now, look, if you would please, in verse 17, same chapter, verse 17. 2 Chronicles 11 verse 17: "So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon." So Rehoboam reigned 17 years. And only the first three years, the Bible says, he walked after the ways of David and Solomon.
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So the question has to be asked: What happened? In other words, those first three years, evidently, he prepared his heart, but the Bible tells us in 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14, now he does evil. Why? Because he prepared not his heart. That kind of sounds familiar, doesn't it? Have you ever known people who are interested in doing right temporarily? Or at least they'll do right for a period of time. And then evidently they grow weary in doing right, or they grow weary in doing that which is obedient to the Word of God, and they cease. Has it ever dawned on you, has it ever entered your mind that weariness in the things of God is a sin? You know what the Bible says? The Bible says in Galatians 6 and verse 9, "Be not weary in well doing."
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"For in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3 verse 13, "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." And yet somehow we tend to think that if we kept our heart this week, then we can slack off next week. If we read our Bible this week, then we don't have to read it next week. If we prayed today, then we don't have to pray tomorrow. If we watched diligently and kept ourselves from temptation today, well, tomorrow we can give into it.
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It's kind of like the individual who's on a diet and they go three days without eating things they should not. And then on the fourth day, they believe they've been so successful, they're going to reward themselves with a banana split. You understand the concept. Well, people do that in the Christian life. They think that somehow, some way they can do right just for a little period of time, and then it's all right to do wrong, that God's going to overlook it because they've done right for a short period of time.
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No, the truth of the matter is we must strive to have our hearts prepared and we must strive to have our hearts fixed permanently. Now, I realize that that's not going to really happen until our glorification. But the truth of the matter is this: you and I cannot give in or give up in thinking that our preparation is going to only take care of us just for a brief period of time. Let me ask you, has it ever dawned on you that you really do not have to sin? Now, I know that you're going to sin and I know that you're sinners.
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I'm certainly not sitting here teaching sinless perfection. But according to Romans chapter 6, do you realize the Bible says that if we have been in Christ Jesus, if Christ Jesus is our Lord, then we are freed from our servitude to sin? Now, it is true that we sin, but it is also true that we do not necessarily have to sin. You say, "How can you say that?"
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Well, look in your Bibles to 1 John 2 and verse 1. 1 John 2 verse 1. Look what John wrote to those Christians. 1 John 2 and verse 1. He said it like this: "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Look what he said: "These things I write unto you, that ye sin not."
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I'm giving you these words, he said, to keep you from sinning. Now, the point I'm trying to make is this, folks. The average Christian, when he wakes up in the morning, he doesn't plan to do evil, he doesn't plan to do wickedness, but somehow he ends up doing it. Somehow he falls into the temptation of the stare and he commits sin. But John says, "I write these things to you that you might not sin." If you prepare your heart, if you fill your heart with the word of God, then he says you're not going to sin. Do you remember—and I've told you this before—but what Dwight L. Moody had written in the flyleaf of his Bible? I'm certainly not endorsing his theology, but I'm endorsing what he had written in the flyleaf of his Bible. Moody had written there, "Either this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book." That's the truth, folks.
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Let me quote to you three verses. Here are three verses that everyone should memorize. Psalm 119, verses 9 through 11. Now just listen carefully. Nick, you listen good too now. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Did you hear that? "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" The same is true for an old man as well. "Wherewithal shall an old man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
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In other words, it is the word of God that is going to keep us from sinning. Now listen to what I told you: one of the reasons Rehoboam sinned was because he did not prepare his heart. Now the word "prepare" means to establish. It means to fix. It means to prepare or to apply. And actually the word means a deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time. A deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time. So when we talk about heart preparation, we're not really talking about something that can be done in a moment of time. It is something that's going to take a good while.
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Let me just try to illustrate it like this. I have convictions today that I never had 40 years ago. And moreover, I have convictions today that I am stronger in than I was five years ago. Why? Because of the truth of the Word of God. Every Christian is like that. Every Christian should be like that. So the idea then is conveying here's a deliberate effort in preparing the heart, biblically speaking.
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Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles to Psalm 57 and look at verse 7. Because the word "prepared" in our Bibles is sometimes translated a different way. I'm going to show it to you. In fact, four times the word "prepared" is translated "fixed." Two of those times it is used here in Psalm 57 and verse 7. Look what David said. David said, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed."
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"I will sing and give praise." Now, what's that? "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed."
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Now, the question has got to be asked: Why is David saying that? What is the incident surrounding it? How do we know what David is talking about? I want you to look back at the heading of the psalm. Most of your psalms have headings. Look what it says: "To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." Now, Psalm 57 was written by David when he was hiding from Saul in the cave. Remember, Saul was chasing David, trying to kill him. Now, hold Psalm 57, but go back in your Bibles to 1 Samuel chapter 24. 1 Samuel chapter 24.
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And let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Samuel 24, verse 1. Notice, if you would please, here's the history. "And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord."
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So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. Now, there's more to this story, but notice David and his men are hiding in the cave. Saul comes in, and the Bible says he came into the cave to cover his feet. I know a preacher who was speaking to a group of Christians, and he was talking about the fact how Saul had some type of suffering or he had thin blood because he had cold feet, and he went into the cave to cover his feet. And I sat there and my mouth fell open. When he got through, I walked up to him and I said, "May I tell you what Saul was doing in the cave?" He said, "Well, sure. He went in to warm his feet."
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I said, "No, you weren't raised on a farm. Covering the feet means he was going to the bathroom. That's why Saul went in the cave. That's how he covered his feet." And while he was using the bathroom, David slipped up and cut off part of the garment because it was laying on the ground. And of course, he hit his head like that, he said, "Oh, no." He said, "I've used this illustration all over the country," you know. But now watch this.
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Here's the point of it. David is in the cave. Saul is in a helpless and defenseless position. Why was Saul chasing David? So that he could kill David. Now David has the perfect opportunity to kill his enemy. Here his men are saying, "Look, God has delivered him into your hand. He's helpless. He's defenseless. Kill him!" David said, "I'm not going to kill him. I'm not going to touch him. He's the Lord's anointed. God anointed him to be king." Later on, David said it like this.
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"His time shall come that he'll die in battle. Or God will kill him some other way. My hand is not going to be upon him. I'm not going to kill him."
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Now go back in your Bibles to Psalm 57. I want you to watch this. Here was David's heart preparation. I want you to look at this. David was not going to have the kingdom by violence. David was not going to have the kingdom by murder. Now, true, probably it would not have been classified as murder, although Saul was very helpless and very defenseless at that particular point. But the truth of the matter is this: David said, "I'm not going to touch him. He's God's king."
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God can kill him in his time. Now, go back to Psalm 57. I want you to note that Saul was wicked and violent toward David. In fact, David said it like this in verse 4: "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens."
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"Let thy glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves." David said, "They are trying to kill me on every hand." But then he says in verse 7, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed." What is he saying? "I've determined that I'm not going to kill Saul. I'm determined that I'm not going to have the kingdom anyway, except God giving me the kingdom." Here's the point. David had already prepared his heart to know what he would do and what he would not do. Had David's heart not been prepared, he may have succumbed to the pressure to rid himself very quickly of his enemy. But no, he prepared his heart. He said, "I'm not going to do that." When David said, "My heart is fixed," I told you it's the same word as "prepared."
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It means to be established. It means to be fixed, to be prepared, to be arranged, to be settled. David said, "I've already settled my heart. I'm not going to kill him." You look up the word "fixed" in our dictionaries. It means to be firmly in position, stationary. It means not to be subject to change or variation. It means to be firmly held in the mind. Do you realize that one of the keys in preparing our hearts is to determine beforehand what we shall do or shall not do in any given situation?
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You say, "Sometimes I don't even think about these things." Well, you want to think about them. I wonder, with Joseph's situation, with Potiphar's wife making the play for him that she did, do you not think that he thought about that situation? "What am I going to do if...?" And sure, he thought about it. And when she laid hold of his robe, he let her have the robe and ran out of the room.
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Part of our heart preparation is determining beforehand what we will and what we will not do. Now, listen carefully. A prepared heart can do that which is right even in the most serious, heart-wrenching, and life-threatening circumstances. Why? Because we've made up our minds, we are going to do what's right. A prepared heart keeps us from getting into temptation, no matter how beneficial and how enticing it appears.
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We prepare our hearts not only by breaking up the fallow ground, that is ridding them of sin and wickedness and rebellion, but also by sowing the good seed of the word of God in them. That's when we, by the grace of God, are determined to do that which is right in every situation.
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Now, thirdly today, here's my third point on this message: the reality of heart preparation. I've given you the rise of heart preparation, the responsibility of heart preparation, so now we come to the reality of it. And let me ask this question: How do I know whether or not my heart is truly prepared? Let me make it a little more personal. How do I know whether or not your heart is truly prepared? He said, "Come on now, Brother Weaver. Nobody but God knows the heart."
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No, the Bible doesn't say that. I know only God knows the heart perfectly. I know the Bible does say that man looketh upon the outward, but God looketh upon the heart. But the Bible nowhere says that only God knows the heart. I can know your heart and you can know my heart. How? Because the Bible says in Proverbs 23 and verse 7, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Do you realize your actions reveal what is in your heart? Your attitude reveals what is in your heart. Your words reveal what is in your heart. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." What we are in reality in our hearts will be manifested and demonstrated by our actions.
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Now, look in your Bibles, if you would please, to 2 Chronicles 19 and verse 3. Let me demonstrate what I'm trying to teach you. 2 Chronicles 19. Watch, if you would please, verse 3. Here's the statement concerning Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles chapter 19 and verse 3, the Word of God says, "Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God." So the prophet tells Jehoshaphat, "You've prepared your heart to seek God." How did the prophet know Jehoshaphat had prepared his heart to seek God? Well, the answer is because he had taken the groves out of the land.
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You say, "He cut down a bunch of trees?" Well, let me tell you something. The word "groves" there is literally wooden images. What exactly were these wooden images? Well, the word refers to the Asherah. Another word is the Astarte. An Asherah or Astarte, sometimes Ashtoreth, was a Phoenician goddess, or an image of a Phoenician goddess, the Asherah, which was a fertility goddess, who supposedly was the mother of Baal, whose worship was concentrated in Syria and Canaan, and the wooden object represented that worship. Our King James Bible translates this usually as "groves," except where it gives it as "Ashtoreth." So the Asherah then existed in southern and northern kingdoms of Israel. Jezebel of Tyre apparently installed the worship of Asherah in the north when she married Ahab in 1 Kings chapter 18.
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Now the principal symbols of this deity were located in Samaria and Bethel and in Jerusalem. Now look in your Bibles to 1 Kings chapter 14. 1 Kings chapter 14, let me show you what this was. 1 Kings chapter 14 and notice, if you would please, verse 23. 1 Kings 14 verse 23. Watch carefully. 1 Kings 14 verse 23: "For they," that is the people, "also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree." So they built them groves.
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What were they building themselves? They were building themselves these wooden objects which were used in the worship of Asherah. These were nothing more than out-of-the-way, secret places for sexual sins, where the sexual sin was done in honor and in worship of Asherah. So now, how do we know that Jehoshaphat prepared his heart to the Lord? Because he was getting rid of idolatry and immorality. By the way, I hope you understand that idolatry and immorality always go hand in hand.
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You cannot have one without the other. So Jehoshaphat then put away these wooden objects. He was putting away idolatry and immorality.
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Now, I want you to understand. Here is the negative side of preparing the heart. This is still basically what is known as breaking up your fallow ground. The negative side of preparing the heart is nothing more than dealing with the sins in your life, and the sins in your family, and the sins and wickedness that you know of and that you have a responsibility to deal with. That is the negative aspect. What is the positive aspect of preparing the heart?
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Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Ezra. Ezra, Nehemiah, Ezra chapter 7. Very quickly, and look at verse 10. I quoted this verse last week as well. Ezra 7 and verse 10. Look what the Bible says concerning Ezra. Ezra 7 verse 10: "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." Now I want you to note, Ezra prepared his heart, the Bible says first of all, to seek the law of the Lord.
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Now, let me ask you a question. Why did Ezra prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord? So that he might do it. And then secondly, that he might teach it. You know, the real reason you want to study the word of God is so you can obey it. So you can apply it. It doesn't do you any good to memorize Scripture just to, quote, improve your intellect and to demonstrate your ability to quote Scripture. Scripture is given for application in our lives and for obedience to the Lord. So Ezra then, the Bible says, prepared his heart to seek the Lord, the Lord God, that he might actually do it, and that he might actually teach the commandments.
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Now, look in your Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 1 and verse 1. Let me just show you still continually the positive side of preparing the heart. In Romans 1 and verse 1, the Bible says this. Here's an identical truth given by the apostle Paul. He says, "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God." Now, note that phrase "separated unto the gospel of God." Let me ask you, had not Paul separated himself from Judaism? Yes. Had not Paul separated himself from sin and rebellion and wickedness? Yes. Well, why does it not say that in Romans 1 and verse 1? Because it's not telling what Paul separated himself from, but what Paul separated himself unto. In other words, there is a negative and there is a positive. It is not enough—listen carefully—it is not enough to turn from sin. We must turn to the Lord. Look in your Bibles, 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.
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As you're turning there, do you remember the story that our Lord gave concerning the man who swept and garnished his own house and kicked the evil spirit out? And the evil spirit walked about and then he said, "I'll return to my own house." And finally, he swept and garnished, he carried more evil spirits more wicked than himself with him. Which shows you the absolute valuelessness of self-reformation.
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In other words, it does you no good to turn from unless you turn unto. And the Bible tells you in 1 Thessalonians, look there if you would please, chapter 1 and verse 9. Look what Paul wrote concerning these Thessalonian Christians. He says, "For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you." In other words, you demonstrated the truth—watch—"and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." They didn't just simply turn from idols. That's the negative. They turned to God. That's the positive. And then they serve the one true and the living God. So in preparing the heart, there is the positive as well as the negative.
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Now, I told you last week that there was another phrase that I wanted to incorporate in explaining heart preparation, and that phrase was found in 2 Chronicles 27 and verse 6. And it just simply says this: "So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God." Now, it doesn't say he prepared his heart. It says he prepared his ways.
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Now, let me ask you a question. Is it possible to prepare your ways without preparing your heart? And the answer is no, because a prepared heart will always seek prepared ways. Let me explain it like this. You know, the Bible says in Psalm 37 and verse 23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." Now listen to that. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." So once you have a prepared heart, you have prepared ways. He says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his ways." And I've often been asked concerning that verse, "Who is the 'he'? Is that God delighting in the ways of the man? Or is that man delighting in the ways of God?" And the answer is, it's both. Now listen to that. "The steps of a good man ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his ways." Certainly, God delights in a good man walking obediently. And certainly, a good man walking obediently delights to do that.
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He delights to do that which is right and pleasing to God. Let me illustrate still what I mean by a prepared heart seeks a prepared way. Let's suppose that you and I wanted to commit the sin of drunkenness. And I'll confess to you I've never been drunk in my entire life. Don't plan on starting now. Told you before, I've never had a beer in my entire life. Don't plan on starting now, too late. Okay, now watch this. Although I've never been drunk, I know how to get drunk. You know how to get drunk. If we really wanted to get drunk, we would prepare a way to get drunk.
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How would we do that? We would visit all the bars. We'd visit all the liquor stores. We'd visit all the friends who had plenty at home, and then we would visit our own shelf where we kept plenty of it. In other words, if I really, genuinely wanted to get drunk, I would leave early enough in the evening to make all the rounds, and by the time I got home, I could assure you I'd be good and soused.
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Now, that's just a silly illustration, but let's suppose you and I do not want to commit the sin of drunkenness. What are we going to do? We're going to avoid the bars. We're going to avoid the liquor stores. We're going to avoid the homes of people who drink too much. You see what I'm saying? If you and I really and truly want to avoid drunkenness, we've got to prepare our way so that we're not going to be tempted and that we're not going to be falling into that.
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There is preparation that needed to be made. Let me go further. If I am going to be holy and pure in my thoughts, as well as in my life, I must not only avoid pornography, but lustful situations, suggestive movies, and compromising situations.
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Now, Alice and I were talking about this last evening. And let me explain something about pornography. Let me tell you why it is so vicious and so wicked. Do you realize pornography may start out just merely as pleasing and titillating to the flesh? And give you all kind of thoughts that might excite you. But let me tell you, the Bible says in Romans chapter 1 talking about certain people, they were burned out. Pretty soon, what you and I would call normal pornography will no longer excite you because you've been burned out. Then it takes something else, pedophilia, or then it takes bestiality.
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You see what I'm saying? Until finally, you are totally consumed. Now, here's the point. If I don't want to end up like that, I must prepare myself and say, "I'm not even going to start. I'm not going to look at it. I'm not going to indulge in it. I'm going to determine that I will keep my heart and my mind pure." Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Proverbs 4. I told you we were going to come back there. Look at it, Proverbs 4.
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And let's begin reading there with verse 23. Proverbs 4, verse 23. Watch carefully. Proverbs 4, verse 23, the Word of God says, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Now, here's my question. How do I know whether or not I'm keeping my heart? How do I know whether or not you're keeping your heart? Well, let's look at it. Proverbs 4, verse 23. Look carefully. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Go further.
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"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." Now watch carefully. "Keep thy heart with all diligence." How do I know whether or not I'm keeping my heart? Well, if I'm keeping my heart, verse 24, I'll put away from me a froward mouth and perverse lips. If I'm keeping my heart, according to verse 25, my eyes will look right on and my eyelids will look straight before me. If I'm keeping my heart, I'll ponder the path of my feet and I'll let all my ways be established or prepared. If I'm keeping my heart, I'll not turn to the right hand or to the left. I'll remove my foot from evil. I'll do that which is right. Do you see that? Now, if I'm not keeping my heart, I will not do any of those things.
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If we're keeping our hearts, we're guarding them, we're pondering the path of our feet, we're trying to establish our ways, prepare our ways so that we will not sin against God. So if we're going to do that which is right and holy, we've got to say, "Lord, our hearts must be prepared."
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Now, let me ask you a simple question. If you are going to obey God, how can you obey him if you don't know his word? How can you please him if you don't know what pleases him and what displeases him? Follow me. So the point I'm trying to make is in the positive side of preparing the heart, we must learn to use the means that God has ordained. That is, personal study of his word, prayer, communion with the saints, and above all, the preaching of the word of God.
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Now, I want you to turn in your Bibles, if you would, please, to Romans chapter 10 and verse 17, because here's a passage about everyone can quote. Romans 10, verse 17, and I'll tell you what, go ahead and turn in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 4, because we're going to be looking there next. So turn to Romans chapter 10 and then to Ephesians chapter 4, because this is a very important part of heart preparation. Notice, if you would please, Romans 10, verse 17, the Bible said, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." So now, if I wish to increase my faith, I must not only exercise my faith, I must make sure that I hear the word of God. Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So what most people do is they'll say, "Well, what I'll do is I'll get me some CDs of the Bible and I'll just put them on and I'll listen to the Bible being read and I'm hearing the word of God."
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Well, I'm certainly not condemning that. I think you should hear all the Bible that you can hear. But that is not what this context is speaking about. You say, "Well, what is the context speaking about?" Well, go back in your Bibles to Romans 10 and verse 13. Watch carefully, Romans 10 verse 13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"
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"And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
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Now the question is, in the context, what is he talking about? He's actually talking about listening to preaching. He's talking about listening to the word preached. Not just to the word read, but to the word preached. Let me make a statement that will prove it to you from the Bible. There are things, there are truths that you will learn from the public preaching of the Word of God that you will never learn through private Bible study. I'm not denigrating private Bible study. You should study your Bible privately. You should read it. You should do everything you can to learn it and grasp it, but that still does not negate the fact there are truths that you learn from preaching that you will never learn any other place.
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You say, "How can that be?" Well, look in Ephesians chapter 4, beginning there with verse 11. Ephesians 4, verse 11. Look what the Bible says: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"—actually they're together, pastor-teachers. Why did God give these gifts to the church? Here's why: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth
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be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Now, notice why he gave some pastor-teachers. Why? "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
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Now, let me ask you. If pastor-teachers were given for the edifying and building up of the body, is it reasonable to assume that you can be built up and edified without pastor-teachers? And the answer is no. No. Because pastor-teachers are God's gift to His church.
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Now, let me explain something. This makes perfect sense. If I want to know something about anatomy, I'm going to go talk to Dr. Brissies. That's their field. That's their life. If I want to know something about veterinary medicine, I'm going to go talk to Dr. Holmes. That's his field. That's his life. If you want to know something about preaching and teaching and the Bible, usually you would go to a pastor. And I'm talking about a real, genuine pastor. Why? Because that's his life.
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Now, let me illustrate this. Can I learn anything about chiropractic? Well, sure I can. But do you think I could become a master in chiropractic if I only studied it five minutes a day? No. Could I become a great veterinarian just by studying veterinary medicine five minutes a day? No. Are you going to grasp the truths of God's Word just simply studying it five, ten, fifteen, twenty minutes, even an hour a day? No. The point is this: God has chosen men who have given their lives to studying truth. And usually those men are going to have far more truth than someone who just simply reads a scripture a day or a passage a day and goes on his way to work.
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Now, that's only common sense, folks, that's biblical sense. You know, the Bible says in Titus 1 and verse 3, that God chose to manifest his word through preaching. Did you know the Bible said it's by the foolishness of preaching, God chose to save those who believe? By the way, I'll show you this from the Bible. Do you realize there are three things that are absolutely necessary to perfect you or mature you in Jesus Christ?
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You say, "What are they?" Well, look in your Bibles to the book of Colossians. Just over it: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians. Colossians 1 and look in verse 28. Here are the three things that are absolutely needed and necessary to mature you in the Christian life. The Apostle Paul says concerning Christ, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect," that is, or mature and complete, "in Christ Jesus." Now, what three things are absolutely necessary to present a man perfect or mature and complete in Jesus Christ? Preaching, warning, or euthanic confrontation, and teaching. Paul says you must have preaching, you must have admonishment, and you must have teaching.
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You cannot arrive at maturity without it. So it's the preached word then that increases our faith. It's the preached word that is heard and applied that increases our faith. Make a suggestion and think about this. Do you realize if most Christians would be faithful to the preaching and the exposition of the Word of God, and then once they heard it, if they applied it to their lives, most counselors
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would go out of business. Even Christian counselors. In fact, I know pastors who do not even engage in private counseling. And their attitude is this: "You want counsel? Come to Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night services. That's where I do my counseling." In other words, and in one sense of the word, folks, that's really true. I don't quite go that far because I know there are some people like me that might need to hear the same truth three or four times, you know. But the fact is, folks, if we listened and if we applied, if we obeyed, we wouldn't have near the problems that we have.
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We must have preaching, we must have teaching, and we must have admonishment. Now, let me make some applications, and I'm going to try to tie this to a close and bring it to a close. There's a negative and there's a positive side to heart preparation. The negative side, of course, is breaking up our fallow ground. The positive side is finding out what God's will and God's word is in preparing our ways.
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It is our duty to seek God to prepare our hearts. Ours is the responsibility, His is the ability. Psalm 10 verse 17 says this: "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart." Do you realize if you seek God to prepare your heart, He said your heart will be prepared. Those who seek Him will not be disappointed. "Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart." So if we come to God and say, "God, we want grace to fulfill our responsibilities. We want grace to not sin against Thee. We want grace to do what's right," God said, "I'm going to give it to you." God is far more interested in you doing right than you're interested in doing right. And if you seek Him to prepare your heart, you're going to find. The second application is this.
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Whenever we use the means that God has ordained, whether it's private study in the Word of God, whether it's prayer, whether it's fellowship with the saints, whether it's the public preaching of the Word of God, we must use those means with entire dependence upon Him, trusting Him to make those means effectual in our hearts. All of my Bible reading will be useless unless God opens my eyes. All of my prayer will be vain unless I pray in the Spirit and according to the will of God. See what I'm saying? Whenever and whatever means I use, I must use those means in entire dependence upon God to make them effectual.
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Now, thirdly, and I want you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Chronicles chapter 4. As you turn there, I'm going to give you this third illustration and application. 1 Chronicles chapter 4. One of the things that we need to determine in our hearts is that we're not going to sin against God.
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Now, I realize, folks, there are sins of ignorance. And I know that we can sin ignorantly and not even know that we sin. I understand that. But I'm not talking about sins of ignorance. I'm talking about when you and I are faced with something that we know that is wrong. We know it's wrong to steal. We know it's wrong to commit adultery. We know it's wrong to murder. We know it's wrong to defraud. We know it's wrong not to keep our word. We know it's wrong not to pay our debts. So we have to determine in our heart that we're not going to sin against God. Now listen carefully.
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We must not only pray to that end, we must prepare our ways to that end and practice those ways. You say, "What are you talking about?" That is, we must learn to stand against the smaller temptations. The smaller sins. It's just like Lot when he was crying to the angel and he said, "Oh, let me escape thither, to this city over here. Is it not a little one?"
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See, that's the way we do it. "Well, this is just a little sin. It really doesn't matter that much." Well, let me tell you something, folks. If you can't stand against the little sins, how in the world are you going to ever stand against the big sins? And do you realize, if you learn to stand against the smaller temptations, every huge, every large temptation is only made up of a series of smaller temptations. And if you've already practiced resisting sin in the smaller ones, you'll be more determined when the larger one comes along. You say, "I am not going to do that. I am not going to sin against God."
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Now, I want you to look in 1 Chronicles chapter 4 and verse 10, at Jabez. This ought to be our prayer. "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!" Are you listening? "And God granted him that which he requested."
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Let me tell you something, people. I want the blessing of God. And I want my coast enlarged. But whether God ever enlarges my coast, or whether He ever blesses me abundantly, I still want to be delivered from evil. That He would keep me from evil, that it might not grieve me. I have heard people all my life give raving testimonies of how God delivered them from whoredom, how God delivered them from drunkenness, how God delivered them from dope and all this kind of stuff. And I mean down in the gutter and God raised them up. I'm thankful for everyone that God has ever raised up and ever saved, but I'm going to tell you folks, I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter, and still save me by His grace. You don't have to lie in the gutter to be saved. And we can learn to pray with Jabez that God's hand would be upon us, that He would enlarge our coast, that He would bless us, and that He would keep us from evil, that it might not grieve us.
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It seems to me our Lord said something similarly: "Pray that ye enter not into temptation." And then when He taught us to pray, "Deliver us from evil." We need to determine in our hearts we're not going to sin against God. If our hearts are prepared, our ways shall be prepared as well. We'll look for a way to obey God and stand against wickedness. Let's pray. Father, we thank Thee for the Lord Jesus Christ today. We thank Thee for His so great salvation.
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His bountiful mercy to us. And Lord, we are so thankful for Your providence, Your provision, and Your protection. But Lord, above all today, we pray that Thou wouldst keep us from evil, that it might not grieve us, that we might not sin against Thee. Make us holy as Thou art holy. Enable us to bring our lives in conformity to Your Word. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray. Amen. Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T01:12:01Z

Prepared Hearts Part 2

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver continues his two-part message on heart preparation, reviewing the rise (God as source) and responsibility (our duty to seek God) of heart preparation. He then focuses on the reality of heart preparation, showing that a prepared heart is evidenced by actions: putting away sin (negative) and seeking God's Word (positive). Using examples like Rehoboam, David, Jehoshaphat, and Ezra, he argues that a fixed heart determines beforehand to obey God, avoids temptation, and uses God-ordained means (preaching, teaching, admonishment) for maturity. Applications include seeking God for grace, depending on Him in all means, and praying to be kept from evil.

Review of Part 1: Rise and Responsibility of Heart Preparation

Weaver reviews that heart preparation originates from God (Proverbs 16:1) and that we are responsible to seek Him to break up our fallow ground (Hosea 10:12).

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 16:1

"The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord."

Now, note that first part:

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 16:1

"The preparations of the heart in man are from the Lord."

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 4:23

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Now, note the phrase,

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 4:23

"Keep thy heart with all diligence."

The Necessity of Continual Heart Keeping

Using Proverbs 4:23, Weaver emphasizes that we must guard our hearts continually, not relying on past repentance, just as farming requires ongoing preparation.

Here we read about Rehoboam. Look what the Bible says. 2 Chronicles chapter 12 and verse 14: "And he," that is King Rehoboam,

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 12:14

"did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."

Rehoboam: A Warning of Unprepared Heart

Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord, despite initially obeying God. This illustrates the danger of ceasing to prepare the heart.

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

"And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam."

Now the kingdom is split, ten tribes to Jeroboam, and so Rehoboam now is getting all the warriors together, he's going out to fight and to bring Israel back to himself. Watch verse 2:

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

"But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me."

Watch:

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:1-4

"And they obeyed the words of the Lord, and returned from going against Jeroboam."

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 11:17

"So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years: for three years they walked in the way of David and Solomon."

So Rehoboam reigned 17 years. And only the first three years, the Bible says, he walked after the ways of David and Solomon.

The Call to Permanent Heart Fixing

Weaver argues that Christians must strive for a permanently fixed heart, not temporary obedience, and that weariness in well-doing is sin.

David's Fixed Heart in the Cave

David's refusal to kill Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24) demonstrates a heart prepared beforehand to do right, even under pressure. Psalm 57:7 shows his heart was fixed.

And let's begin reading there with verse 1. 1 Samuel 24, verse 1. Notice, if you would please, here's the history.

Scripture Reading — 1 Samuel 24:1-7

"And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord."

"His time shall come that he'll die in battle. Or God will kill him some other way. My hand is not going to be upon him. I'm not going to kill him."

The Reality of Heart Preparation: Evidence in Actions

A prepared heart is known by its fruit: Jehoshaphat removed idols (negative), and Ezra sought the law to do and teach it (positive). True preparation involves turning from sin and turning to God.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 23:7

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

Do you realize your actions reveal what is in your heart? Your attitude reveals what is in your heart. Your words reveal what is in your heart.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 23:7

"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."

What we are in reality in our hearts will be manifested and demonstrated by our actions.

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 19:3

"Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God."

So the prophet tells Jehoshaphat,

Scripture Reading — 2 Chronicles 19:3

"You've prepared your heart to seek God."

How did the prophet know Jehoshaphat had prepared his heart to seek God? Well, the answer is because he had taken the groves out of the land.

Scripture Reading — Ezra 7:10

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

Now I want you to note, Ezra prepared his heart, the Bible says first of all, to seek the law of the Lord.

Scripture Reading — Romans 1:1

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God."

Now, note that phrase

Scripture Reading — Romans 1:1

"separated unto the gospel of God."

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:9

"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you."

In other words, you demonstrated the truth—watch—

Scripture Reading — 1 Thessalonians 1:9

"and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."

Prepared Ways Follow a Prepared Heart

Jotham prepared his ways (2 Chronicles 27:6) because a prepared heart leads to prepared ways. We must plan to avoid temptation and pursue holiness.

The Role of Preaching and Teaching in Heart Preparation

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:17

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Scripture Reading — Romans 10:17

"Well, what I'll do is I'll get me some CDs of the Bible and I'll just put them on and I'll listen to the Bible being read and I'm hearing the word of God."

You say, "How can that be?" Well, look in Ephesians chapter 4, beginning there with verse 11. Ephesians 4, verse 11. Look what the Bible says:

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:11-14

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"—actually they're together, pastor-teachers. Why did God give these gifts to the church? Here's why: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Now, notice why he gave some pastor-teachers. Why? "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Applications: Seeking God, Using Means Dependently, and Praying Against Evil

We must seek God to prepare our hearts (Psalm 10:17), use all means in dependence on Him, and pray like Jabez to be kept from evil (1 Chronicles 4:10).

Prepared Hearts Part 2

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	111104103946
Subject	New Testament Studies
Course	Romans: Sin, Judgment, and Gospel Foundations: Prepared Hearts
Genre	Sermon
Date	2004-10-31
Dictation Name
Book	Book 166: Prepared Hearts — Chapter 2
Source Timed Segments	88

Lecture Guide

Outline

Review of Part 1: Rise and Responsibility of Heart Preparation: Weaver reviews that heart preparation originates from God (Proverbs 16:1) and that we are responsible to seek Him to break up our fallow ground (Hosea 10:12).
The Necessity of Continual Heart Keeping: Using Proverbs 4:23, Weaver emphasizes that we must guard our hearts continually, not relying on past repentance, just as farming requires ongoing preparation.
Rehoboam: A Warning of Unprepared Heart: Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord, despite initially obeying God. This illustrates the danger of ceasing to prepare the heart.
The Call to Permanent Heart Fixing: Weaver argues that Christians must strive for a permanently fixed heart, not temporary obedience, and that weariness in well-doing is sin.
David's Fixed Heart in the Cave: David's refusal to kill Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24) demonstrates a heart prepared beforehand to do right, even under pressure. Psalm 57:7 shows his heart was fixed.
The Reality of Heart Preparation: Evidence in Actions: A prepared heart is known by its fruit: Jehoshaphat removed idols (negative), and Ezra sought the law to do and teach it (positive). True preparation involves turning from sin and turning to God.
Prepared Ways Follow a Prepared Heart: Jotham prepared his ways (2 Chronicles 27:6) because a prepared heart leads to prepared ways. We must plan to avoid temptation and pursue holiness.
The Role of Preaching and Teaching in Heart Preparation: Faith comes by hearing the preached word (Romans 10:17). God gave pastor-teachers for maturing the saints (Ephesians 4:11-14). Preaching, warning, and teaching are essential for maturity (Colossians 1:28).
Applications: Seeking God, Using Means Dependently, and Praying Against Evil: We must seek God to prepare our hearts (Psalm 10:17), use all means in dependence on Him, and pray like Jabez to be kept from evil (1 Chronicles 4:10).

Major Themes

Key Arguments

Heart preparation is both divine and human

God must prepare the heart, but we must seek Him to do so; grace and responsibility work together.

Weaver says, 'The ability is his, and the responsibility is ours.'

Continual heart keeping is essential

We cannot live off past spiritual experiences; the heart must be constantly prepared and guarded.

Weaver compares it to farming: 'you cannot continue to reap fruit and to live off harvest that you picked ten years ago.'

Rehoboam's failure proves the necessity of heart preparation

Rehoboam did evil because he stopped preparing his heart, showing that initial obedience is not enough.

2 Chronicles 12:14: 'he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.'

A fixed heart resists temptation by prior determination

David's example in the cave shows that deciding beforehand to obey God enables right action under pressure.

Weaver states, 'Part of our heart preparation is determining beforehand what we will and what we will not do.'

True heart preparation involves both negative and positive aspects

It is not enough to turn from sin; we must turn to God and His Word, as seen in Jehoshaphat and Ezra.

Weaver says, 'It does you no good to turn from unless you turn unto.'

Prepared ways naturally follow a prepared heart

If the heart is fixed on obeying God, we will plan our ways to avoid temptation and pursue righteousness.

Weaver illustrates with drunkenness: 'If you and I really and truly want to avoid drunkenness, we've got to prepare our way.'

Preaching is a divinely ordained means for heart preparation

Faith and maturity come through the preached word, not just private study; pastor-teachers are God's gift for edification.

Weaver argues from Romans 10:17 and Ephesians 4:11-14 that 'there are truths that you learn from preaching that you will never learn any other place.'

We must pray to be kept from evil, not just delivered after falling

Jabez's prayer (1 Chronicles 4:10) models asking God to prevent sin, which is better than rescue from its consequences.

Weaver says, 'I'd rather God save me from all of those things and keep me out of the gutter.'

Scripture References

Proverbs 16:1: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord. Used to show God as the source of heart preparation.
Hosea 10:12: Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord. Used to emphasize human responsibility in heart preparation.
Proverbs 4:23: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Cited as the command to guard the heart continually.
2 Chronicles 12:14: And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord. Used to illustrate Rehoboam's failure.
2 Chronicles 11:1-4: Rehoboam initially obeyed the prophet Shemaiah and did not fight against Israel. Shows his early obedience.
2 Chronicles 11:17: They walked in the way of David and Solomon three years. Indicates Rehoboam's temporary faithfulness.
Galatians 6:9: Be not weary in well doing. Used to warn against weariness in spiritual duties.
2 Thessalonians 3:13: But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. Reinforces the warning against weariness.
1 John 2:1: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. Shows that Scripture is given to prevent sin.
Psalm 119:9-11: Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? ... Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Emphasizes the Word's role in avoiding sin.
Psalm 57:7: My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed. David's declaration of a prepared heart in the cave.
1 Samuel 24:1-7: David spares Saul's life in the cave. Historical background for Psalm 57.
Proverbs 23:7: As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Used to argue that actions reveal the heart.
2 Chronicles 19:3: Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. Jehoshaphat's evidence of heart preparation.
Ezra 7:10: For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. Positive example of heart preparation.
Romans 1:1: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. Illustrates positive separation unto God.
1 Thessalonians 1:9: How ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Shows turning from and turning to.
2 Chronicles 27:6: So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. Links prepared ways to a prepared heart.
Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Used to emphasize the preached word.
Ephesians 4:11-14: God gave pastor-teachers for the perfecting of the saints. Shows the necessity of preaching for maturity.

Historical References

Rehoboam, king of Judah: Son of Solomon, reigned 17 years, did evil because he did not prepare his heart, despite initial obedience.
David sparing Saul in the cave (1 Samuel 24): David refused to kill Saul when he was vulnerable, demonstrating a heart fixed on doing right.
Jehoshaphat removing groves (Asherah poles): Jehoshaphat's removal of idolatrous wooden images evidenced his prepared heart.
Ezra the scribe: Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law, do it, and teach it, exemplifying positive heart preparation.
Jotham, king of Judah: Jotham became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord, showing the link between heart and ways.
Jabez: Jabez prayed to be kept from evil and was granted his request, a model for seeking God's protection.
Dwight L. Moody: Moody wrote in his Bible: 'Either this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.'
Asherah/Astarte worship: Fertility goddess worship involving wooden images and sexual immorality, which Jehoshaphat removed.

Important Quotes

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

Foundational verse establishing that heart preparation originates from God.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Key command for continual heart guarding, central to the message.

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Positive example of heart preparation leading to action and teaching.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Emphasizes the role of the preached word in building faith.

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart.

Promise that God responds to humble seekers by preparing their hearts.

Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

Jabez's prayer, modeled as a request for preventive grace against sin.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

Why is it dangerous to rely on past spiritual experiences instead of continually preparing our hearts?

[Context]

Weaver compares heart preparation to farming, saying we cannot live off harvest from ten years ago.

[Question]

How does Rehoboam's example challenge the idea that initial obedience guarantees lasting faithfulness?

[Context]

Rehoboam obeyed for three years but later did evil because he stopped preparing his heart.

[Question]

What does it mean to have a 'fixed' heart, and how can we cultivate such a determination in advance of temptation?

[Context]

David's heart was fixed not to kill Saul, showing prior decision-making.

[Question]

In what ways do our actions and words reveal the true condition of our hearts?

[Context]

Weaver cites Proverbs 23:7 to argue that the heart is manifested outwardly.

[Question]

Why is it insufficient to only turn from sin without actively turning to God and His Word?

[Context]

Weaver uses the analogy of the swept house and 1 Thessalonians 1:9 to stress the positive aspect.

[Question]

How can we practically 'prepare our ways' to avoid temptation in areas where we are weak?

[Context]

Weaver illustrates with drunkenness: avoiding bars and liquor stores.

[Question]

What is the unique role of preaching in heart preparation and spiritual maturity, according to Ephesians 4 and Colossians 1?

[Context]

Weaver argues that preaching, warning, and teaching are essential for maturity.

[Question]

How does Jabez's prayer challenge our typical prayers about sin—do we pray more for deliverance after sin or for prevention?

[Context]

Weaver contrasts testimonies of deliverance from the gutter with the desire to be kept from evil.

Applications

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