“God is not the author of confusion” (1Co 14:33).
No, the devil causes that, and he has
succeeded in creating much in the thinking of many by confounding the “heart” with the
“nature.” People say, “I was born with an evil heart, and I cannot help it.” It would be more
correct to say, “I was born with an evil nature, which I am responsible to subdue.” The
Christian needs clearly to recognize that in addition to his two “natures”—the flesh and the
spirit—he has a heart which God requires him to “keep.”
(...) I cannot change or better my
“nature,” but I may and must my “heart.” For example, “nature” is slothful and loves ease,
but the Christian is to redeem the time and be zealous of good works. Nature hates the
thought of death, but the Christian should bring his heart to desire to depart and be with
Christ.
The popular religion of the day is either a head or a hand one. That is to say, the
labouring to acquire a larger and fuller intellectual group of the things of God or a constant
round of activities called, “Service for the Lord.” But the heart is neglected! Thousands are
reading, studying, taking “Bible courses,” but for all the spiritual benefits their souls
derive, they might as well be engaged in breaking stones.
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