February 13, 2026
- djohnstoncc
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
CHECK-UP FOR SPIRITUAL HEART HEALTH
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
Ezekiel 36:26 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Yesterday we talked about the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. God’s promise is to give us a new heart. But we have a part to play in the process. We must be intentional about checking our hearts.
The transition from a stony heart to a tender heart isn't just a one-time event; it requires daily maintenance. Use these five diagnostic questions to check the "pulse" of your spiritual life today.
1. The Sensitivity Test
The Question: When the Holy Spirit "nudges" me about a specific attitude or word, do I respond immediately, or do I find myself making excuses?
The Marker: A tender heart is quick to repent; a stony heart is quick to justify.
2. The Friction Test
The Question: Am I experiencing high levels of internal stress from trying to "act" holy while harboring "hidden" frustrations?
The Marker: Anxiety is often the sound of a "clogged" spiritual artery—where our outward performance doesn't match our internal reality.
3. The Perspective Test
The Question: When I look at a difficult situation, do I see it primarily through the "flesh" (fear/logic) or through the "Mind of Christ" (faith/Kingdom)?
The Marker: A responsive heart sees obstacles as opportunities for God to move; a stubborn heart sees them as reasons to quit.
4. The Forgiveness Test
The Question: Is there someone I am currently "protecting" myself from through bitterness or resentment?
The Marker: Bitterness is the "calcium buildup" of the heart. It hardens the very place where God wants to flow.
5. The Intake Test
The Question: Am I feeding my heart more of the World’s noise or the Word’s truth?
The Marker: Your heart becomes like the environment you immerse it in. You cannot have a tender heart while soaking in a cynical culture.
Prescription for the Week
If you find a "hard spot" in your heart today, don't ignore it. Spend five minutes in silence, asking the Holy Spirit to "soften the clay." Remember, God is a gentle Surgeon. He doesn't come to condemn; He comes to restore the flow of His life through you.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please show me the areas I have allowed to slip in my spiritual journey. Help me today to allow You to work in and through my life. Give me courage to lean into Your help in my life.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”