Bad attitudes can creep up on us. We may not even realize the true attitude of our hearts at times. Take this 3 minute, 4 attitudes of the heart test to check your heart right now.
The 4 Attitudes of Your Heart
Brian Simmons, former New Tribes missionary, and Bible Translator, brings such clarity here. In a footnote, he deftly creates a picture we can remember. He says, “The four kinds of soils [in Mark 4] speak of four kinds of hearts: hard hearts, hollow hearts, half hearts, and whole hearts. With the first soil we see the activity of Satan, the second, that of the flesh, and the third, that of the world. Bearing fruit is never a problem with what is sown but with the soil it falls upon.”
The condition of our hearts indicates what is influencing us:
1. Hard heart – influence of activity of Satan; thinking, doing or being subject to evil hardens us, makes us less responsive to God and love
2. Hollow hearts – influence desires of the flesh – pursuing things that won’t last, won’t matter in heaven. Hollow, empty things. Putting self first. What I want – self indulgence.)
3. half hearts - influence of the world. Distractions – even good things that are pulling you away from God’s best. (e.g. sports, or hobbies that take all our time and energy)
4. whole hearts - influence of God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit – 30, 60, 100 fold
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”