Cultivating the Heart
From the beginning, the expectation of God was for humans to cultivate the garden and keep it. After the fall, humans were still tasked with cultivating the ground – however, the earth would now put forth “thorns and thistles” making humanity’s work more difficult. Humanity was also tasked with cultivating and guarding the Garden of Eden; now we are tasked with cultivating and guarding our hearts. As Prov. 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”
This is a spiritual type for walking with God. For we find that the flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. Our internal earth still has remnants of soulish “thorns and thistles” (jealousy, greed, lust, etc.). We must work the garden of our heart or run the risk of falling away, as the author of Hebrews warns,
For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned. (Hebrews 6:7-8)
In the parable of the seed and the sower, Jesus makes it clear that the condition of the soil is the determining factor to the success of the seed. Those who have cultivated their hearts, making themselves “good soil” will reap a harvest. Those who have not cultivated their hearts allow the Word to be stolen, choked out, or not able to take root. Everything depends on receiving the Word, as James makes clear,
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:21-22)
Cultivate in Hebrew is abad and its primary meaning is “to serve.” This is a glorious revelation! We serve creation by cultivating the soil. We serve the Creator by cultivating our hearts. But what does this mean? To cultivate means to prepare and serve the Eden of God, which is now the human heart.
Consider what it means to cultivate the ground in the natural. Every year I plant a small garden – and I mean small: 2-3 tomato plants, 2-3 pepper plants, and several herbs. I start working the ground in March by breaking up the soil that has hardened over the winter. I then add nutrients and till the soil to a fine grade. All this is to prepare the soil to receive the seed.
Seeds are powerful, and it is entirely likely that some of the seeds will grow even if I do not prepare the soil. But if I want a bountiful crop, I must take the time to prepare the soil, prune the plant, and harvest at the proper time.
Consider Abram and Sarai. Abram and Sarai were promised a son, but Sarai was well beyond child-bearing age. In order to see the promise, Abram had to sow his seed in the barren womb of promise. From the time of the promise to the birth of Isaac 14 years had passed. This is a clear testimony to us that we must not grow weary in well-doing, for we will reap in due season if we do not give up. We must be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises of God.
There are two primary objectives for cultivating the human heart. First, God is growing Christ in us as we sow to the Spirit. Those who sow to the flesh reap corruption; those who sow to the Spirit receive life. His goal is a unique expression of Christ, unlike any other human expression. It is in this way we see more of His glory as He uniquely transforms and is expressed through his people.
Second, we never know when we will need to harvest something from our hearts. Maybe it’s peace, or joy, or faith. Sadly, many believers spend little or no time preparing the soil of their hearts, let alone planting the Word in their hearts. So, when they need harvest, they look within and find the crop is stunted, spindly, or possibly non-existent! Ps. 78:8 speaks of a “generation that did not prepare its heart.” That generation failed to enter the promised land. Prov. 28:19 says, “He who tills his land will have plenty of food, But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.” It really comes down to what we believe. If we really believe that from our heart flow the issues of life, then we would tend to our heart more carefully. As Dutch theologian Herman Bavink concluded, “all good enduring reformation begins with ourselves and takes its starting point in one’s own heart and life.”
My prayer is that we all would allow the work of reformation to continue in us this day.
This is an excerpt from my recent book, “Resilient Faith: Overcoming Digital Babylon” which is available on Amazon.
