Where Your Heart Is

by Hugh DeLong

“You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections” (II Corinthians 6:12).

This follows Paul’s long list of situations he had to deal with as a disciple of Jesus. Discipleship involves the setting of our hearts (our ‘inward parts’ – the visceral emotion or compassion – not just modern “feelings”). The great commandment – love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This includes our loving Jesus.

This doesn’t direct us as to what we should set our hearts on; this is about being controlled by what I love, what presses me towards my actions. Paul phrased a similar concept in Colossians 3:2: “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Or again in Proverbs 4:23: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”

How do you really prioritize your heart? Not what ‘should I answer,’ but what have you set your heart on? What matters most to you? On the negative statement of this: what do my affections keep from doing? Has my love for Christ changed me? Am I controlling my anger, wrath, speech, - my interactions with others? Be honest. Set out not just to change the ‘action’, but rather to change your heart.