Do You Have a Heart of Flesh?” Understanding and Responding to God’s Transforming Guidance

Christian Publishing House

7 months ago

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Throughout Scripture, the transition from a “heart of stone” to a “heart of flesh” represents God’s redemptive work to renew our inner being by His Spirit. Ezekiel 11:19–20 vividly presents this divine transformation and its practical implications:

“I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh. 20 That they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” (UASV)

This promise raises an important question: Do you have a heart of flesh? More than identifying the state of our heart, it compels us to act—to follow God’s guidance in every area of life. This article explores what it means to live with a heart of flesh, how this inner transformation should guide us, and specifically, how it applies to entertainment, dress and grooming, and love and forgiveness.

1. What Is God’s Guidance?

God’s written Word establishes standards that reflect His righteous character. He does not manipulate from a distance; He invites us into relationship and growth. To take the “heart of stone” and give a “heart of flesh” means enabling us to love what He loves—the things of heaven—and to reject what He rejects—the sin that destroys.

God’s guidance is not a list of do’s and don’ts divorced from relationship. Instead, it is responsive preparation: a heart that delights in truth (Ps. 40:8; Ps. 119). As we reflect Christ’s heart, we learn to cherish His statutes and respond to them with love.

Ezekiel 11:20 underlines this: the divine transformation equips us to “walk in My statutes…and keep My judgments and do them.” It is not just knowing about God’s standards; it is living them out in obedience, empowered by the Spirit (Phil. 2:12–13).

2. How the Heart of Flesh Should Impact Our Entertainment

Entertainment is not neutral—it influences our affections, mindset, and spiritual health. With a soft heart:

Choose Wisely: We consciously avoid passages, shows, games, or online content that promote violence, immorality, hatred, or spiritual darkness (Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:8). We seek content that builds us up and gladdens the heart without compromising purity.
Set Boundaries: The Spirit helps us draw lines—no more justifications for “harmless” material that clouds our conscience or undermines spiritual clarity.
Give Thoughtful Attention: Are we seeking entertainment to avoid God, or to escape from spiritual isolation? A heart of flesh remembers the blessing of spiritual nourishment above momentary distraction.

Walking in God’s ways means choosing activities that affirm our identity in Christ—not those that leave us wounded.

3. How the Heart of Flesh Shapes Dress and Grooming

Appearance matters, and for those with a transformed heart, it becomes an expression of spiritual integrity, not worldly approval:

Modesty with Beauty: Following God’s design (Gen. 1:27; 1 Tim. 2:9–10), our dress and grooming aim to reflect dignity, humility, and holiness—not to provoke lust or flaunt pride.
Cultural Sensitivity: A heart of flesh cares about appropriateness in context. We avoid extremes that draw attention fuelled by pride or rebellion. Instead, we adopt attire and grooming that reflect respect for ourselves and others (Rom. 14:13–21).
Respect of the Opposite Sex: We consider how appearance affects relationships. The counsel goes deeper than fashion—it reflects a heart tuned to God’s esteem for human dignity and purity.

4. How the Heart of Flesh Expresses Love and Forgiveness

A heart of flesh—a heart renewed by God’s Spirit—extends the love and forgiveness we have received from Jesus (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:12–14). It is both tender and obedient.

Love:

Sees beyond faults and cares for spiritual well-being.
Bears burdens and comforts the discouraged (Gal. 6:2; 1 Thess. 5:14).
Encourages and builds up, not tearing down (1 Cor. 16:14; Heb. 10:24–25).

Forgiveness:

Follows the Savior who forgave us—even at great cost (Eph. 1:7).
Releases grudges and resentment (Matt. 6:14–15).
Does not insist on repayment but restores relationship (Luke 17:3–4; 2 Cor. 2:5–8).

A tender heart does not excuse wrongdoing, transgress statutes, or allow itself to be used. It refuses retaliation and seeks reconciliation.

5. How Can I Follow God’s Guidance More Fully?

Ezekiel 11:20 tells us purposefully that having a heart of flesh is for doing God’s statutes and judgments. How do we grow in this?

Cultivate a Living Relationship with Jehovah (Ps. 1):
- Meditate on His Word daily.
- Pray continually—depend on the Spirit’s guidance (Eph. 6:18).
- Walk with the congregation—mutual encouragement and accountability.
Apply the Word Consciously:
- Make thoughtful choices in entertainment—guard what influences your heart.
- Review and refine your wardrobe and grooming—are they honoring to God?
- Extend love and forgiveness—actively, deliberately, not once, but always when grace is needed.
Cultivate a Sensitive Conscience:
- Dare to repent quickly and train your heart to recognize sin—not excuse it.
Practice Self-Discipline (1 Cor. 9:27):
- Train in spiritual exercises: prayer, fasting, silence, solitude.
- Teach yourself to desire what pleases God first.
Celebrate Growth:
- Rejoice in small victories. Garner confidence in God’s creating work within you.
- Use discipline and accountability to refine weaknesses.
Reflect Eternity:
- Live aware that God is building you into a heavenly son or daughter.
- Your heart matters. The world may mock, but Jehovah shapes heavenly gold.

6. Transforming Examples to Follow

The Bible gives us shining models of hearts refined by God:

David, after sin, sought after Jehovah with a contrite spirit (Ps. 51:16–17). He refused to return to a hardened heart.
Paul spoke of a waning competitiveness after knowing Christ’s love (Phil. 3:12–14). His heart reshaped by revelation, not tradition.
Christ himself, the ultimate example, freely wept (John 11:35) and willingly humbled Himself (Phil. 2). His heart became flesh for our salvation.

7. A Personal Checkpoint

Take a moment, in prayer, to ask:

Do I watch or listen to things that cloud my mind or spirit?
Do I dress with purpose or with self-promotion in mind?
Do I withhold love and forgiveness, seeking justice over grace?
Do I respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction—or silence it?

Ask Jehovah for a soft heart and diligent help to walk in His statutes and judgments.

Final Thoughts

Ezekiel’s promise is not simply for Israel—it is for every believer whose heart is hardened by sin, distraction, or worldliness. God’s solution is not distant preaching, but close transformation. He will replace our stony hearts with hearts of flesh—alive to Him, tender in love, and loyal in actions.

Let your heart—your choices in entertainment, your appearance, and your expression of love—reflect that you have been transformed and belong to a living, loving, covenant-keeping God.

When God speaks—through His Word, through conviction, through prayer—do you respond with a heart of flesh?

The challenge before you today is simple. Ask. Receive. Be transformed. And live as one who keeps the statutes not as legal obligations, but as the joyful beatings of a tender, renewed heart.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

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