March 2011

Ways of the Heart

The Bible is talking a lot about ways. The most well-known illustration might
well be the parable of Jesus of the broad way to destruction and the narrow
way unto life (Mt 7:13-14). Jesus Himself tells us in John 14:6 “I am the way,
and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” But if
Jesus is the way – how then do we walk on Him?
Meditating upon the law of God, the Psalmist exclaimed, “Blessed are the un-
defiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” (Ps 119:1). In verse 30
of the same Psalm he states: “I have chosen the way of truth…,” and in verse
32, “I will run the way of thy commandments…”
The wise man tells us in one of his proverbs, “In the way of righteousness is
life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” (Prov 12:28). He also warns
us: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and
go not in the way of evil men…” because “the
way of the wicked is as darkness…” and “… the
way of transgressors is hard.” (Prov 4:14,19; 13:15)
Further he states: “The man that wandereth out
of the way of understanding shall remain in the
congregation of the dead.” (Prov 21:16). What
solemn thought to consider! No wonder then
that David prayerfully desired, “Teach me thy
way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth…” (Ps
86:11).
It is evident that these ways – the ways of truth
and righteousness, the ways of understanding
and of God’s commandments, as well as the ways of wickedness and evil
– are not ways in the literal sense, as if we could find them on a map for to
walk in them. But if they are not literal, where then are they to be found? You
might say that i.e. to walk in the way of righteousness means to conduct my
way of living in a righteous manner, and yes, you’re right. That is the actual
walking in a way. But where is that way? And how does the way I choose
determine my conduct of life?
Let us turn to Scripture and see what it will magnify to our understanding
regarding this subject.
In Proverbs 16:9 we read, “A man’s heart deviseth his way…”
The Hebrew word for “heart” here is figuratively used to denote the feelings,
the will, and even the intellect, likewise it stands for the centre of anything
(Strong’s Concordance, H3820). It is used for the totality of man’s inner or
immaterial nature (Spiros Zodhiates). It points to the “hidden man of the heart”
(1 Pt 3:4) or the “inward man,” (Eph 3:16; 2 Cor 4:16; Rom 7:22) which consists of
spirit and soul - thoughts and feelings - that dwell in the body, the outward
man (see also 1 Thess 5:23). Our thoughts and feelings combined make up our
moral character (Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. II, p. 660).
The word “deviseth” means to weave, or fabricate, to think, plan, or invent.
“The principal idea is that of using the mind in the activity of thinking, creat-
ing new ideas, good or evil.” (Strong’s Concordance, H2803; Spiros Zodhiates).
The word “way” here in the Hebrew denotes a road as trodden, figuratively a
course of life or mode of action.
So in that heart, the inner nature of man, in his thoughts and feelings, a way is
fabricated and woven, by treading it over and over again, shaping the course
of life, the mode of action, the habits, and eventually the character.
Let us have a look into anatomy to see how that is being done.
Both the thoughts and feelings are located in the brain. All outward impres-
sions are received and evaluated in the
brain, and from the brain come all com-
mands for expressions of any kind, both
vocal and in active deeds. The brain in turn
consists of approximately 100 billion of
nerve cells called neurons, which connect
with one another in complex networks.
These connecting networks are called
neural pathways. The neural pathways are
communicating information from and to the brain, and also among each other.
A person’s habits and skills become embedded in the brain in frequently
activated neural pathways. “The more often a pathway is used, the more
sensitive and developed it becomes in the individual brain. As these pathways
develop, the collective group of used pathways become a map of how an
individual thinks, reasons, and remembers. Neurons which are not stimulated
in these pathways tend to wither away and become unusable. These neuron
cells either die or change in ways which render them ineffective. If pathways
are never developed, they never become usable in the sense that they can
handle significant traffic in terms of electrochemical communication within
the brain. If neuron cells are not used, they can be lost.” (http://www.brains.org/
path.htm)

Thus we see that those ways the Bible is talking about are really located
in the neural pathways of our brain. By our process of thinking, by receiv-
ing, evaluating, and reacting on impressions from the outside, we weave, or
devise, our individual network of neural pathways. Consequently those ways
are greatly influenced by what we feed our mind with. Paul advises us there-
fore: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.”
(Phil 4:8)

The more frequently

those roads of our heart
are trodden, the stronger
they will become, form-
ing our habits and eventu-
ally our character. What
ways are you walking on?
The God of heaven calls
upon men, saying: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord…”
Then He exclaims mournfully: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than
your thoughts.” (Isa 55:7-9). What sorrowful scene is pictured here! As far as
the heavens are higher than the earth, so far is man separated from his Maker
by means of his sin. His ways and thoughts are alien to the harmony that per-
vades the universe. “The way of man is froward and strange…” (Prov 21,8). It
is froward, perverted, bearing guilt and crime. Man wandered far from God.
What could ever bridge a gulf as deep as hell and as far as the heavens are
from the earth? Is not man lost beyond hope?
Praise God, no! “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his
mercy toward them that fear him.” (Ps 103:11) His mercy is great enough to
reach down from heaven to earth, to bridge the gulf of sin. How? In sending
His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to condemn sin in the flesh (Rom
8:3).”While [Christ] embraces the human race with his human arm, he grasps
the throne of God with his divine arm, thus uniting humanity to divinity. The
Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, descended the path of humiliation step
by step until he reached the lowest point possible for humanity to experi-
ence; and why? That he might be able to reach even the lowest of mankind,
sunken in the very depths of degradation though they be, that he might be
able to elevate them to the heights of heaven. He has promised, “To him that
overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame,
and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Wonder of wonders! Man, a
creature of the earth; dust, elevated to the throne of the King of the universe!
Marvelous love! inexpressible, incomprehensible love! (RH, July 9, 1895)

“The cross of Christ is lifted up between heaven and earth. Here comes the
Father and the whole train of holy angels; and as they approach that cross,
the Father bows to the cross and the sacrifice is accepted. Then comes sinful
man, with his burden of sin, to the cross, and he there looks up to Christ on
the cross of Calvary, and he rolls his sins at the foot of the cross. Here mercy
and truth have met together and righteousness and peace have kissed each
other. And Christ says, “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me.” (EGW
1888 Materials, p. 344)

Thus by accepting Christ fallen man can be restored into harmony with God
again. His wayward thoughts and feelings will be subdued under the Spirit
of God. Led by the Spirit we can be sure of walking in the way of truth and
righteousness, in the way of God’s commandments.
Let this be our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and
know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in
the way everlasting.” (Ps 139:23,24). Amen.
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