08/03/14 HEARKEN OR HARDEN

08/03/14 HEARKEN OR HARDEN

We need to carefully choose which voice we heed in our minds, because it will determine the direction we take with our lives. We will either deliberately hearken to the voice of God or we will stubbornly hearken to our own evil imagination, which will result in hardening of our hearts to God.

Please take a few minutes to consider these twelve passages, which address the influence of our imagination (whether good or evil) on our behavior. I have included defining terms (in parentheses).

Genesis 6:5
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination (including desires) of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 8:21
21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Psalm 81:12
12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust (imagination) and they walked in their own counsels.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (18)
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Isaiah 26:3
3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind (imagination) is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Jeremiah 3:17
17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination (stubbornness) of their evil heart.

Jeremiah 7:24
24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination (stubbornness) their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Jeremiah 16:12
12 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination (stubbornness) his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:

Luke 1:51
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

Romans 1:21
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

2 Corinthians 10:5
5 Casting down imaginations (reasonings), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;