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My son,\\xa0pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one\\u2019s whole body. Above all else, guard\\xa0your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:20-23\\xa0(NIV)

\\u2026The\\xa0Lord\\xa0does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,\\xa0but the\\xa0Lord\\xa0looks at the heart.\\u201d 1 Samuel 16:7\\xa0(NIV)

4 Blockages of the Heart

1. SELFISHNESS

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition\\xa0in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.\\xa0Such \\u201cwisdom\\u201d does not come down from heaven\\xa0but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.\\xa0For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:14-16\\xa0(NIV)

2. BITTERNESS

Then He said to the disciples,\\xa0\\u201cIt is impossible that no offenses should come\\u2026\\u201d Luke 17:1 (NKJV)

A brother wronged\\xa0is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19\\xa0(NIV)

3. Rejection

A brother wronged\\xa0is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. Proverbs 18:19-21 (NIV)

From the fruit of their mouth a person\\u2019s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:19-21 (NIV)

4. Evil Thoughts

For it is from within, out of a person\\u2019s heart, that evil thoughts come\\u2026 Mark 7:21-23\\xa0(NIV)

sexual immorality, theft, murder,\\xa0adultery, greed,\\xa0malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.\\xa0All these evils come from inside and defile a person.\\u201d Mark 7:21-23\\xa0(NIV)

I will give you a new heart\\xa0and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone\\xa0and give you a heart of flesh.\\xa0And I will put my Spirit\\xa0in you and move you to follow my decrees\\xa0and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27\\xa0(NIV)

3 Steps to Transforming the Heart

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to SHOW ME

Search me,\\xa0God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way\\xa0in me, and lead me\\xa0in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24\\xa0(NIV)

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to CHANGE ME

Create in me a pure heart,\\xa0O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me\\xa0from your presence or take your Holy Spirit\\xa0from me. Psalm 51:10-11 (NIV)

3. Invite the Holy Spirit to FILL ME

Do not get drunk on wine,\\xa0which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18\\xa0(NIV)