Desires of Thine Heart

Follow @MoniceSharde We often hear the following scripture, in part, from Psalms 37:4 quoted: “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” The beginning of this scripture is rarely repeated. SO people go out into the world and believe that, even when they are spiritually ill, can ask God for the desires of their (wicked) hearts and receive all they have asked for. When they don't, they either turn from God, use this as an excuse to be disobedient or accuse Him of not being affective. 



Many people believe that, due to the “prosperity movement” that has swept all the traditional churches – this scripture is speaking about financial wealth, the fulfillment of one’s goals, dreams and aspirations. The popular interpretation, in plain, is: if we attend church services and do good deeds, the Lord will give us what we ask for. But this interpretation lacks something… It does not address rather or not if the person asking has a pure and righteous heart! After all, scripture does tell us about those that have a FORM of godliness, yet deny the true power of God (2 Tim 3:5). Would Paul have warned us of this if he didn’t realize there would be people that “appeared” godly but their hearts were not pure? I don’t think so!

So what DOES God mean by “the desires of your heart?”  Well, let us take a look at what the bible says:

Throughout the bible, people have wanted things that were no good for them. For example, although God promised Sara he would fulfill her desire for a son, her impatience caused her to move faster than God’s plan and she DESIRED one sooner, so she had her husband Abraham sleep with the Egyptian (Hagar). We are aware of how messy that turned out (Hagar and Abraham’s son was Ishmael which is the “father” of the Muslim religion). Sara’s DESIRE within her heart was not something that was healthy for her and has resulted in a spiritual war that still affects mankind today!

Another example is of David’s son, Amnon. He DESIRED within his heart to have his sister, Tamar, which resulted in him raping her. This is clearly a distorted desire and by knowing the character of God, this would not be something He approved of, let alone would He EVER provide it.

Last, In Acts 8, Simon DESIRES to have the healing powers that he has seen the apostles have. He offers money for it and Peter tells him "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money"

Side note: This disproves the "prosperity movement," in that, by giving your money to pastors and allowing them to deem it as tithes, so that you can be blessed is sinning against God. Don't you know that God has no dealings in the world's treasures? How is it that you so readily accept their lie that God will provide your needs by offering money to Him? Christ assure you that your NEEDS are going to be provided (Matt6:31&33)! 

Now, back to the desires of a wicked heart vs. the desires of a pure heart. Simon clearly had a desire that was not aligned with the LORD's Will. God would never grant this desire.

1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, he heareth us:” < This scripture clearly tells us that God hears the prayers of those that seek for HIS WILL to be done over their lives.

SO when you hear Psalms 37:4, remember that the scripture begins with "Delight thyself also in the LORD..." Meaning that when you seek to please God, your heart is transformed and will be in accordance to His Will. The desires will no longer be your own but instead will reflect what His perfect understanding and non perishable gifts provide: Peace, Love, Joy, Discernment, and other SPIRITUAL GIFTS!