The Lord Looketh on the Heart
Ronald M. Barcellos, of the Seventy
Elder Barcellos emphasizes the importance of turning our hearts fully to God to receive His blessings.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Understand God's Perspective on the Heart
Elder Barcellos explains that God judges us based on our hearts rather than our outward appearances. He uses the example of David, who was chosen by God despite not being the most physically impressive, because his heart was aligned with God's desires.
The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Key Points:
- God evaluates us based on the condition of our hearts.
- David was chosen by God for his heart, not his physical stature.
- Pure hearts allow us to see God and receive His blessings.
- Reflect on a time when someone saw your true intentions rather than just your actions.
- Consider how you feel when you focus on internal qualities rather than external appearances.
- Share an experience where you felt God understood your heart despite outward circumstances.
Assess Your Heart with Spiritual Tests
Elder Barcellos outlines spiritual tests to evaluate the condition of our hearts, including examining our focus, willingness to obey, scripture study diligence, and the quality of our thoughts and words.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.Key Points:
- Evaluate your heart by considering where you invest your time and focus.
- Assess your willingness to obey God's commandments with sincerity.
- Regular scripture study and seeking revelation are crucial for heart health.
- The quality of your thoughts and words reflects your heart's purity.
- Think about a time when your priorities shifted to align more with God's will.
- Describe how scripture study has impacted your heart and mind.
- Share a moment when you realized your words were not reflecting your true intentions.
Improve Your Heart’s Spiritual Health
Elder Barcellos provides guidance on strengthening our spiritual hearts by building a relationship with Christ, aligning our will with His, and serving others with sincerity.
The Savior has provided excellent spiritual medication and treatment to help you.
He has even promised to give you a new heart!Key Points:
- Strengthen your relationship with Christ through daily scripture study and prayer.
- Align your will with God's by keeping commandments and making covenants.
- Serve God and others with a sincere heart to experience spiritual growth.
- Describe a time when service to others brought you closer to Christ.
- Reflect on how daily prayer has changed your heart over time.
- Share how aligning your will with God's has brought peace into your life.
Align Actions with Intentions
Elder Barcellos emphasizes the importance of ensuring that our actions are motivated by pure intentions and love for God rather than seeking the approval of others.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.Key Points:
- Ensure your actions are motivated by love for God, not external validation.
- God desires sincere devotion rather than mechanical obedience.
- Align your heart's desires with your actions to be a true disciple.
- Consider a time when you acted out of love for God rather than obligation.
- Reflect on how you ensure your motives align with your actions.
- Share a moment when you realized the importance of sincerity in your worship.
Invite the Savior to Transform Your Heart
Elder Barcellos invites us to allow the Savior to transform our hearts by repenting, returning to Him, and focusing on eternal goals rather than worldly distractions.
Repent and return to Him with all your heart, and He will forgive you and encircle you in the arms of His love.
Seek not the things of this world, but choose to have your eye single to His glory.Key Points:
- Repentance and returning to Christ bring forgiveness and love.
- Focus on eternal goals rather than worldly distractions.
- Allow the Savior to transform your heart by yielding to His will.
- Share an experience of feeling the Savior's love through repentance.
- Reflect on how focusing on eternal goals has changed your perspective.
- Describe a time when you felt the Savior transforming your heart.
