Only God can judge a man’s heart. But we can observe signs. Does the tree bear good fruit? Jesus says only a good tree can bear good fruit. Jesus also said people will know you are His disciple by your love. But even bad people love those who love them. And idolators can string together a few good deeds that may pass for fruit. But there is another clue: sensitivity. When people surrender to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they develop a sensitivity to things they missed before. Not sensitivity to human emotions, necessarily, but a sensitivity to the things of God.
“What then? Israel did not find what it was looking for, but the elect did find it. The rest were hardened, as it is written: GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF INSENSITIVITY, EYES THAT CANNOT SEE AND EARS THAT CANNOT HEAR” Romans 11:7-8.
A lost man is wrapped up in himself—his problems, his obsessions, his addictions, his fears. He is blinded by a “spirit of insensitivity.” He has blind eyes, deaf ears, and appears unreachable. But when the Holy Spirit reaches him and his soul is born again, he begins to look up and see beyond himself, first to the truths of God, later, perhaps, to the truths of this earth. Yes, he will be more sensitive to people, but like Solomon, he may also become sensitive to practical wisdom and insight about life and people.
I have seen the amazing changes that happen when God removes the “spirit of insensitivity” and leaves men sensitive for the first time. Believers not only become aware of emotions, intuition, and Godly wisdom, but some become sensitive to art for the first time, discovering previously untapped sensitive sides to their now-creative personalities.
When considering the state of a man’s eternal soul, consider: 1) Does he bear fruit? 2) Is he loving? and 3) Has the spirit of insensitivity been removed from his heart?
Pray for a heart that is more sensitive to God!
ΑΩ
Household Words: 