Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

Discipleship is ultimately a heart matter. God desires disciples not to have an army of workers, but to have a host of children. What we say and do is important, but what is most important is the heart attitude behind it all. We focus on externals but God looks on our hearts, as the Bible tells us repeatedly. (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 15:16-20) We are not to ignore words and actions, because they are indicators of heart condition, but simply changing behavior doesn’t necessarily change the heart. When we allow God to change our hearts, right behavior will follow. We tend to get hung up on formulaic words, accepting those who follow our formula and rejecting those who don’t, when we need to let God open our eyes to see people’s hearts and love them as He does.

This is an area of great importance to me as an individual believer and as a pastor. I’ve studied enough psychology – and lived enough of life – to know that changing behaviors can influence heart attitudes, but I must not get the cart before the horse. I know that it is possible to get into an orthodox rut, doing all the right things without my heart being in it at all. There’s no life in that! I need to keep watch over my own heart, that I not grow dull or cold, and I need to encourage the believers to do likewise. The best thing I can do for my flock is to pray for the cleansing, guiding, empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and lives. When they – we – have that, all the right words and behaviors will follow.

Father, thank You for this program of discipleship training You have started us on. Help me both teach and participate in it as You desire, so that our hearts may be set free from the clouds of confusion the devil tries to throw up. Help us all understand what it is to love and fear You and seek first Your kingdom, and make the choice to do that consistently, so that our hearts may be right and You be pleased with us. Thank You. Praise God!