Enlightened Hearts
The Apostle Paul, in his writings, tells of his prayers for the children of God. These were lovely prayers and we do well to make them our own when we are praying for those we love and with whom we have fellowship.
In the epistle to the Ephesians, Paul tells them that he "prayed that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened". He's talking of spiritual enlightenment. How can we get this? From whence does it come?
Well, it doesn't come through self-effort or much meditation; it comes through God's Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God .... for they are foolishness to him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned".
There is a lot of talk about the pursuit of "spiritual enlightenment" today and the influx of Eastern thought has a lot to do with it. Today there is a sea of false religions and the New Age philosophy. Beware!
"Introspective meditation" they talk about but spiritual enlightenment doesn't come like that. It comes through the Holy Spirit. That, among other things, was why He was given to the believer. He takes the things of Jesus and shows them to us. He leads into all truth. He is the Spirit of truth John 16:13. There is an old hymn we used to sing "Spirit of God my Teacher be" and He is. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul prays that they might be "filled with the knowledge of His will and in all wisdom and spiritual understanding".
As you read God's word, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and to write the truths upon your heart. He does do this and it is He who implants the truths of scripture into our thinking so that you may have, as Paul says in another place, "the mind of Christ". That's amazing.
It's all so wonderful. It doesn't depend on my I.Q. or academic attainment. It depends on knowing the Holy Spirit and trusting Him to teach and guide and lead. We are not left to our own devices or guesses. The truth is written on our hearts and we have the grace to live it out. It's all part of his wonderful plan for His children. 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them that your profiting may appear to all. Spiritual progress will be seen by others.
You are not left to your own devices. God has made every provision for you to be filled with spiritual wisdom. All the other 'teachers' are blind and can give nothing towards spiritual enlightenment. They have no light to give. You may be filled with the knowledge of God's will.
It is all part of our wonderful inheritance in Jesus. In Him, by His Spirit, we have (present possession) peace, joy, grace, wisdom, victory, strength, guidance, mercy, forgiveness. Every benefit God has made yours - dare to believe it - accept it - act upon it and your life will be lifted up to a wonderful level.
May the eyes of your heart be enlightened.
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