The Surrendered Heart
Proverbs 23:26
This chapter in Proverbs is often called the "heart chapter" since the heart is mentioned nine times (vs. 7, 12, 15, 17, 19, 26).
In the Bible the heart signifies the seat of our affections, intellect, will, and moral consciousness. It is the "inner sanctum" our life where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It represents the center of man’s being—Man’s essence—Man’s life. It is who you are when no one is looking. "…the hidden man of the heart…" (1 Pet 3:4)
God says, "My son, give me thine heart…" In this short exhortation of six words we have three important truths:
I. A RELATIONSHIP is established ("My SON…").
A. In this relationship I see a CONVERSION has taken place.
1. In order for God to call you "my son" you need to be converted.  You need to be born-again into God’s FAMILY.
2. Although Solomon is speaking historically to his son in Proverbs, "One greater than Solomon" is speaking to each of us today asking for our heart.
B. In this relationship I see a CONFIRMATION of love.
1. The fact God seeks us out and then asks for our hearts, or our love, proves His great love for us– Only love will seek love. You do not ask love from someone you do not love yourself.
2. God’s love desires love to be reciprocated When you love someone, you want them to love you in return.
3. Indifference doesn’t care if it is loved or not. If you don’t love someone, you really don’t care if they love you or not.
II. A REQUEST is expressed ("My son, GIVE ME…"). Not a command.
A. A CONDESCENDING request.
God is saying, "Give me..." Usually, we are the ones who say, "Give me." The table is turned.
The great Benefactor becomes the beneficiary.
The great Giver becomes the recipient.
The Provider becomes the asker.
The Satisfied becomes the seeker.
The Door seeks an entrance.
The Way gropes for your heart.
The Prince of Peace fights to get you. God wants your heart.
The Creator asks His creature, "Give me…" He who gave us all things now asks, "Give me…"
He ASKS from us a gift that is His by right, since He created it. God does not take it by force. Christianity is a voluntary religion—Not one of coercion.
God wants us to give our heart willingly (Ex. 25:2).
B. A CONTESTED request. There is a battle being waged for your heart.
1. There are many claimants for your heart (cf. 23:27-28). What is bidding for your heart besides God?
2. The god of this world wants your heart (Mt. 4:8-10). The world will clamor for you affections (1 John 2:15).
C. A CERTAIN request. It is specific and personal. God wants YOUR heart. We must not think, "Amen, I wish so-and-so would give God their heart."
III. A REQUIREMENT is enjoined ("My son, give me THINE HEART").
A. WHAT God wants—YOUR HEART. This is absolute surrender! Our greatest need.
The first and last commandment deal with heart relationships.
Spurgeon said, "He who has the heart has the man." If God has your heart, He has all of you there is to have. When the heart is in the right place, the eyes, mouth, and ears will take care of themselves.
Vance Havner said, "We reward, coax, picnic, persuade, tantalize, trying to get church members to come to church. We have tried banners, seals, diplomas, badges, buttons, pot-luck suppers, oyster stews trying to induce people to do what they ought to do anyway because they love God. People go where they want to go. Where their hearts are, their heels will follow!" 
1. When you give your heart you give God your affections. love
2. When you give your heart you give God your allegiance. loyalty
3. When you give your heart you give God your aspirations. The heart is the "control center" of man. When we give God our heart, we are giving Him command of our life. Whoever has one’s heart controls that person.
B. WHY does God want our hearts? Because there is nothing He needs that we have apart from our love.
1. He is too rich for us to make Him richer.
2. He is too great for us to make Him greater.
3. He is too good for us to make Him better.
4. He is too strong for us to make Him stronger.
5. He simply seeks after our love. That is why He made us. He wanted somebody to love Him and to fellowship with Him voluntarily.
To give wealth without giving the heart is abomination.
To pray without giving the heart is mockery.
To preach or teach without giving the heart is hypocrisy.
To serve without giving the heart is fraud.
To witness without giving the heart is perjury.
To sing without giving the heart is sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.
SUMMATION: Years ago I faced the truth that I would never be a great preacher and I didn’t have much talent. However, I also realized I could do one thing as well as anybody. I could give God all my heart. He gave His heart for me—Is it a great thing for me to give Him mine.
When Jesus died on the cross, a soldier pierced His side, and there came forth blood and water. Medical experts tell us this means His heart had ruptured. He died of a broken heart. He gave you His heart—Now He asks, "Give me thine heart." Will you surrender your heart to Him? You never need to fear giving your heart to One who has given all for you.

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