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Ever wonder how our hearts and minds work in together? If Christ gives us a new heart, why does our mind still seem to spin?
And why does God’s Word transform some, but not others?
In his book, Minding the Heart: The Way of Spiritual Transformation
At its core, Minding the Heart, is a book on spiritual growth – how it happens and the heart’s role in that process. It’s probably the most important book I’ve read in a while because it does what so few theology books do (well) – marry biblical principles with biblical application.
Here’s what I mean:
The book helps the reader identify true self knowledge – our heart, the “complex seat of physical and psychological spiritual health.” In short, our heart has more significance that the place where we feel emotions. It’s the place where God meets us, having imprinted it with his image.
With true self-knowledge, the author walks the reader through how the heart functions in relation to the rest of us – our brain, eyes, etc., and how it has been impacted by sin.
He also draws out the various responsibilities God and man both possess for changing the human heart, although God bears the ultimate responsibility as the “heart-changer.”
Why is this book important?
It offers a clear connection between the human heart (our true self-identity) and its bearing on our relationship with God and others. With biblical support, the author calls the heart “the control center of life” or the place where God works in us.
It outlines the heart’s impact on the way we live.
It offers a clear picture of the mechanics of heart change when we meditate on God’s Word.
Why I loved the book:
The book reconfirmed for me that the heart is the key to my spiritual growth. My heart directs my life – good or bad.
Because this is a book on a person’s inner self, the author seamlessly combines biblical studies with other fields that back up Scriptural truth. He pulls from psychology, philosophy, and even neuroscience to show how important a transformed heart is to our daily life.
This book helped me understand why Scripture repeatedly calls us to meditate on God’s Word and remember God’s faithfulness. When we meditate on Scripture and engage it with our “whole self,” we are getting God’s truth into our heart. With the Spirit’s help, it changes us! This is a simplified description, but meditation changes our thoughts, then it changes our emotions, which increases our faith, and changes our actions and responses.
It was after reading this book that I realized I was neglecting the role God had given me to play in my own spiritual growth. So, I started the Abide Groups at Hive Resources. This winter we’re working through 1 Cor. 13 and meditating on biblical love – a key component to true and lasting heart change.
Who should read this book?
PARENTS: Although this book was written for advanced or even seminary-prep work, I believe parents would benefit from this book as they seek to understand their child and their true identity. This book offers hands-on mechanics to other heart-oriented parenting book by Tedd Tripp like Shepherding a Child’s Heart
COUNSELORS: Anyone with a heart for counseling and helping others wrestle with difficult circumstances should buy this immediately.
PASTOR OR LAYLEADER: This book is a must for understanding Scripture’s role in the life of the church body and the individual sitting in the pew.
A LOVER OF THE PSALMS: This book would make a great companion to the Psalms as the author offers a definition of the different types of heart, people, and responses, seen in the Psalter’s songs of praise and laments.
Thanks to Kregel Academic for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a review. This post contains affiliate links. For my full disclosure statement, click here.
Hey moms, I hope you’ll stop by the blog tomorrow! I have a tool to help you root your children in love by helping them fall in love with God’s Word!
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