{"id":47160,"date":"2022-11-11T16:42:42","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T13:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=47160"},"modified":"2025-05-27T01:25:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T22:25:33","slug":"my-child-give-me-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/11\/11\/my-child-give-me-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"MY CHILD, GIVE ME YOUR HEART"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Proverbs 23:26\u201328 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cMy son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways, for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Like a bandit she lies in wait and multiplies the unfaithful among men.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we open our hearts to the Word of God, may the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth and lead us into transformation through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).<\/p>\n

God’s request here is intimate and deeply personal: \u201cMy son, give me your heart.\u201d<\/em> The heart in biblical language represents the center of our thoughts, emotions, and will (Proverbs 4:23). It is the seat of decision-making, desire, and devotion. But notice that the heart is mentioned first\u2014and then the eyes. This is intentional, for what the heart loves, the eyes will seek.<\/p>\n

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1. The Root of Sexual Sin Lies in the Heart and Eyes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Jesus reaffirms this principle in His Sermon on the Mount:<\/p>\n

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Matthew 5:27\u201328 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cYou have heard that it was said, \u2018You shall not commit adultery.\u2019 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This shows us that sin doesn\u2019t begin with the act it begins with the gaze and the desire behind it. Lust is not merely a physical act but a condition of the heart. The \u201cprostitute\u201d in Proverbs is not only literal but also symbolic. She represents temptation and seduction in all forms visible and invisible.<\/p>\n

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2. Biblical Examples of Falling into the Trap of Lust<\/strong><\/h3>\n

David and Bathsheba<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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2 Samuel 11:2\u20134 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cOne evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing\u2026 David sent someone to find out about her… Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

David\u2019s fall began with a look. Instead of turning away, he entertained the image and allowed lust to take root. This is why the Lord urges, \u201cGive me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.\u201d The eyes serve as gateways to the soul.<\/p>\n

Samson and Delilah<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Judges 14:1\u20133; 16:4 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cSamson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman… Then he saw a prostitute in Gaza and went in to spend the night with her… Later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Samson followed the desires of his eyes and it ultimately led to his downfall. His physical eyes were gouged out (Judges 16:21), symbolizing the spiritual blindness that came from ignoring God’s call to holiness.<\/p>\n

Solomon\u2019s Heart Turned by Many Women<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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1 Kings 11:1\u20134 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cKing Solomon, however, loved many foreign women… They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, \u2018You must not intermarry with them…\u2019 Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love… As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Though Solomon was granted great wisdom (1 Kings 3:12), he failed to guard his heart and eyes, eventually straying into idolatry because of his desire for sensual pleasure.<\/p>\n

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3. The Righteous Response: Joseph\u2019s Escape from Temptation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Genesis 39:7\u201312 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cAnd after a while his master\u2019s wife took notice of Joseph and said, \u2018Come to bed with me!\u2019 But he refused\u2026 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her… He left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Joseph didn\u2019t linger. He ran. His action demonstrates the New Testament command:<\/p>\n

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1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cFlee from sexual immorality.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He modeled the spiritual discipline of not only avoiding sin but escaping its presence at all costs.In today\u2019s world, sexual sin often comes not from physical encounters but from images, media, and digital content. Pornography, sensual movies, provocative content on social media\u2014these are modern forms of the prostitute who \u201clies in wait like a bandit\u201d (Proverbs 23:28).<\/p>\n

Paul warns believers:<\/p>\n

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Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cBut among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What we watch, listen to, and dwell on in our minds deeply impacts our spiritual condition.To overcome, we must guard both our hearts<\/strong> and eyes<\/strong>. Job provides a powerful example:<\/p>\n

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Job 31:1 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cI made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If you are married, honor your spouse in heart, mind, and body. If you are single, set firm boundaries. Avoid sexually suggestive media. Be mindful of your company and conversations. When tempted, turn away immediately do not entertain the thought.<\/p>\n

Paul urges:<\/p>\n

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Romans 13:14 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cRather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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True transformation begins with repentance and surrender.<\/p>\n

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Acts 3:19 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cRepent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If you have fallen, there is hope. Jesus offers forgiveness and restoration. Invite Him to cleanse your heart and renew your desires.<\/p>\n

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2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cTherefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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Matthew 23:26 (NIV)<\/strong>
\u201cBlind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

True purity begins from the inside. When the heart is given to God, the life follows. When the eyes are disciplined, the body is kept in holiness. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).<\/p>\n


Please share this message with others.<\/em><\/p>\n

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