Moving Beyond Religion to Real Relationship with God
by Kayla Kennada
Let’s get right to the heart of the matter. The heart represents the center, essence, and foundation of something—its very core and purpose. God created us with a physical heart that sustains our earthly body, but He also gave us a spiritual heart that serves as the center of our spirit. As Jesus declared in Matthew 6:21, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We can discover what truly resides in our heart by examining what we treasure most.
While our physical heart keeps our body functioning, our spiritual heart connects us with our heavenly Father, who is Spirit. This spiritual heart is what the Lord examines and values most. It encompasses our innermost being—our deepest feelings, thoughts, intentions, and motivations. In essence, our spiritual heart reveals our true self.
God’s Choice of David
In 1 Samuel 16, the Lord commanded Samuel to visit Jesse and his sons to anoint the one chosen to be Israel’s next king. When Samuel first saw Jesse’s eldest son Eliab, he was certain this impressive man must be God’s choice. However, the Lord corrected Samuel’s assumption. “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
After meeting all of Jesse’s sons who were present, none had been chosen for anointing. Samuel then asked if there were any others. Jesse summoned his youngest son David from the fields, and it was David whom Samuel anointed as king. While Scripture notes that David was handsome (1 Samuel 16:12), God’s selection was not based on physical appearance. Rather, as Samuel had earlier told Saul, “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people” (1 Samuel 13:14).
Understanding the Heart
When Scripture speaks of God looking at the heart, it refers not to the physical organ but to the spiritual heart—the essence of our character and true nature. The heart encompasses our mind, will, and emotions, serving as the wellspring of our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus taught this principle clearly: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:34-35). Our words reveal our inner reality, mirroring what resides within our hearts.
The phrase “His own heart” reveals that God Himself has a heart—an innermost nature that defines His true character. Scripture tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and that He is pure and holy. When God seeks those who are “after His own heart,” He looks for people who will worship Him authentically—”in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). As He promises in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Merely intellectual pursuit or external religious performance falls short of this calling. Many people attend church faithfully and participate in religious activities yet never develop genuine heart-to-heart intimacy with God. They may learn about God and perform outward works, but they miss the deeper spiritual connection He desires.
David’s Heart in Action
David’s heart for God became evident when he encountered Goliath’s taunts against Israel. While seasoned soldiers cowered in fear, David’s love for the Lord compelled him to action. He declared, “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26). The term “uncircumcised” here signifies more than physical condition. It represents spiritual separation, a hardened heart, and a state of being outside covenant relationship with God.
The Transformed Heart
When we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, He takes residence within our hearts. Paul prayed “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17). The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in our spirit—the deepest part of our being. Transforming us from within, with that inner change manifesting outwardly. God promises in Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.”
Through Christ, we become new creations with transformed hearts (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are no longer who we once were. Our hearts, formerly dwelling in darkness, are now translated into the light. This transformation requires careful stewardship, as Proverbs 4:23 instructs: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
To guard our hearts effectively, we must fill them with God’s Word. When trials arise, our hearts will remain steadfast, anchored in truth rather than circumstance. We must remember our identity in Christ—we are no longer sinners but saints. Because God is for us, we have victory (Romans 8:31). As Galatians 4:6 declares, “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!'” Our hearts have become the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), His dwelling place within us.
Love as the Heart’s Center
Under the new covenant, we are called to fulfill two primary commandments: love God and love His people (Matthew 22:37-40). Since God is love and He dwells within our hearts, love naturally becomes the center and core of our being. This divine love flowing through transformed hearts enables us to live as people truly after God’s own heart—not merely in outward appearance, but in the depths of our spirit.
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