And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul (Acts 16:14 KJV)

What comes to your mind when you think of an open heart? When Paul preached to a group of women, God opened  Lydia’s heart (one of the women who heard Paul) to pay attention to the message Paul preached. Since an open heart is such a crucial topic for our relationship with God and our experience of His presence and power, we begin by examining the meaning of the term “open heart.”

The verb “to open” is used figuratively in this context, commonly used for doors or gates. A vivid example is in Rev. 3:20, where Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. He remains standing before that closed door until we open it and let Him in. And when He comes in, we fellowship with Him. Therefore “open” in this context is granting access or clearing the way for God to come in—an open heart to God is more than just fair-mindedness. Instead, it is a critical spiritual highway of divine traffic where we practically have access to God and He to us.

But how do we open our hearts to God? In Acts 16:14 above, God opened Lydia’s heart, so He is the One who ultimately opens our hearts. However, we have a part to play. In a broad sense, we open our hearts to God when we yield the faculties of our hearts to Him. We will examine only three of these faculties here—will, understanding, and believing, First, we open our hearts to God when we are willing to do or obey His will; a stubborn heart is closed. Second, we open our hearts when we can perceive or know the things God wants us to know; a heart that understands( the mindset) is an open heart. Third, we open our hearts when we believe God’s Word; unbelief is a closed iron gate that keeps God out. 

Therefore if God ever tells you to open your heart to Him, He is asking you to yield your will to obey what He has told you to do, believe His Word, or understand what He has revealed to you(replace your opinions or ideas with His own).

What is an open heart? Why is it crucial to our relationship with God?

Apply the Word

This is a sobering reality: we can shut the gates of our hearts against God, and God cannot help anyone behind the doors of a closed heart gate. Opinions or ideas against God in our minds will hurt our spiritual lives as much as disobedience or unbelief..  Yield your will, understanding( mindset), and believing in God.

Ask the Lord to help you open your heart as He did for Lydia. 

Recommended

• How the Heart Connects the Natural and the Spiritual 
• How God Opens Our Spiritual Eyes 
• I Stand at the Door and Knock
• What is a Devotional?
• View All Deshen Daily Devotionals

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