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STUDY 347

Text: Proverbs 28
17 February 2008

Dear Parents,

THE ISSUE OF THE HUMAN HEART
One of the hardest things to look after is the state of the human heart. The danger of the human heart becoming callous or hard is very real! We must do everything we can to keep the heart of our children from becoming hardened.

Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Proverbs 28:14

1. A reverent heart

a) This is a heart that knows the fear of the Lord.

b) It is a heart that is always respectful.

c) This heart will know the blessing of happiness.

2. A hardened heart

a) A heart usually takes years before it becomes hardened

b) How does the heart become hardened?

i) The individual must take full responsibility for his state.

ii) There is neglect in the nurturing of the heart.

iii) The heart is allowed to become calloused.

iv) The heart slowly but surely becomes desensitized.

v) Finally, the heart becomes hardened and refuses to respond.

c) Consequences that are inevitable

i) A hardened heart will not respond to good and sound advice.

ii) A hardened heart will do whatever it pleases.

iii) A hardened heart will make bad mistakes along the way.

iv) Calamity will result.

GUARDING THE HEART FROM BECOMING HARDENED
We must seek the Lord diligently and plead mercy. We must train our heart to be sensitive and obedient to the Lord. We must seek to cultivate and practise compassion. The battle of the heart is a life-long one! We dare not let up! Too much is at stake. Let us re-double our efforts to guard our hearts and that of our children.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie