"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
"Through Christ, moral power is brought to man that will change the entire affections, and enable man to work with a will for the cause of God. Where all the power of mind and body was before concentrated to work the works of evil, by the Spirit of God a revolution is brought about. The Holy Spirit enlightens, renews, and sanctifies the soul. Angels behold with inexpressible rapture the results of the working of the Holy Spirit in man. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of his love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of God. Love is the agency which God uses to expel sin from the human soul. By it he changes pride into humility, enmity and unbelief into love and faith. He does not employ compulsory measures; Jesus is revealed to the soul, and if man will look in faith to the Lamb of God, he will live."
What is the new heart that Christ promised His followers in Ezekiel 36:26?
To fully understand it is helpful to note from the start that the promise not only includes God bringing transformation into the life—defined as a new mind, but also removing that which stands in the way of that transformation—the stubborn attitude.
In the Bible, we find helpful information in Ezekiel 36:23-27; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalms. 51:10; Jeremiah 32:39; Psalms 144:12; John 3:3, 5-6,; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15; Ephesians 2:10; Revelation 21:5. From these verses, we learn that we can ask for a new heart, that receiving a new heart is transforming, and affects the people that live around us.
Additional thoughts include the fact that few people know what is meant by the "new heart," and are often deceived into thinking it is merely "feelings." {YI September 26, 1901, par. 2} A "new heart" is defined as a "new mind," and this mind is defined as "the will"—which apparently means the "new heart" also has to do with choices. {Ms36, 1891, par. 43}. Having a "new heart" is also defined as having a "new mind, new purposes and new motives, and refers to the mind, the life and the whole being. The sign of a new heart is a changed life. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5} We also learn that the new mind is not a different mind from what we had before, but a mind that is able see things clearly that were before clouded. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 4}
Accordingly, a new heart refers to a transformation of thinking, attitude and choices.
What do we learn from the following Scriptures?
Ezekiel 36:23-27 (NKJV) 23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD,” says the Lord GOD, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Deuteronomy 30:6 (NKJV) "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live."
Psalms 51:10 (KJV) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
Jeremiah 32:39 (NKJV) "Then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them."
Psalms 144:12 (KJV) "That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:"
John 3:3 (NKJV) "Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again ["born from above—margin], he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5-6 (NKJV) "Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation."
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) "Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.'"
Ezekiel 11:19-20 (NKJV) "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God."
Zechariah 7:11-12 (NKJV) “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts."
Matthew 13:5 (NKJV) "Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. ... 20 "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles."
2 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV) "Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."
When we consider God's promise of a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26, we are thinking about one of the most wonderful promises in the Scriptures. As an eminent Christian said in the 1800s:
"Look out on all the promises God’s Word gives, of a clean heart, a heart established blameless in holiness, of a life in righteousness and holiness, of a walk in all the commandments of the Lord unblameable and well-pleasing to Him, of God’s working in us to will and to do, of His working in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight, in the simple faith: God says this; His power can do it. Let the assurance that a life of full obedience is possible, possess you. Faith can see the invisible and the impossible. Gaze on the vision until your heart says: ‘It must be true. It is true. There is a life promised I have never yet known.’"—Andrew Murray, The School of Obedience
How this occurs exactly is daunting and mysterious, but many calls are made for holy living in the New Testament and I am confident that no call is made for anything that is iimpossible.
What additional information do we gain from the quotations that follow?
Many who speak to others of the need of a new heart do not themselves know what is meant by these words. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, “Ye must be born again.” {YI September 26, 1901, par. 2}
Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come, their house is swept away. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 3}
Many poor souls are groping in darkness, looking for the feelings which others say they have had in their experience. They overlook the fact that the believer in Christ must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. The convicted sinner has something to do. He must repent and show true faith. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 4}
When Jesus speaks of the new heart, he means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5}
When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the service of the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. {DA 324.1}
An Excellency of Power Comes
As the sinner, drawn by the power of Christ, approaches the uplifted cross, and prostrates himself before it, there is a new creation. A new heart is given him. He becomes a new creature in Christ Jesus. Holiness finds that it has nothing more to require. God Himself is “the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:26. And “whom He justified, them He also glorified.” Romans 8:30. Great as is the shame and degradation through sin, even greater will be the honor and exaltation through redeeming love. To human beings striving for conformity to the divine image there is imparted an outlay of heaven’s treasure, an excellency of power, that will place them higher than even the angels who have never fallen. {COL 162.4}
In the Bible the will of God is revealed. Through all time this book is to stand as a revelation of Jehovah. To human beings the holy oracles have been committed to be the power of God. The truths of the Word of God are not mere sentiments, but the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these truths a part of His life becomes in every sense a new creature. He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness, that through ignorance and sin have clouded the understanding, is removed. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 4}
The words, “A new heart will I give you,” mean, “A new mind will I give you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] This change of heart is always attended by a clear conception of Christian duty, an understanding of truth. The clearness of our view of truth will be proportionate to our understanding of the Word of God. He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning to God he had reached a higher grade of intelligence. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 5} ...
[Referring to the Hebrew Youth who were also enrolled in the King's school at the time of Daniel, but who were not faithful] The mind in which error has once taken possession can never expand freely to after-investigation. The old theories will claim recognition. The understanding of things that are true and elevated and sanctifying will be confused. Superstitious ideas will enter the mind to mingle with the true, and these ideas are always debasing in their influence. Christian knowledge bears its own stamp of unmeasured superiority in all that concerns the preparation for the future, immortal life. It distinguishes the Bible reader and believer who has been receiving the precious treasures of truth from the skeptic and the believer in pagan philosophy. {Ms 42, 1904, par. 11}
"It is the love of self that brings unrest. When we are born from above, the same mind will be in us that was in Jesus, the mind that led Him to humble Himself that we might be saved. Then we shall not be seeking the highest place. We shall desire to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. We shall understand that the value of our work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world, and in being active and zealous in our own strength. The value of our work is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Trust in God brings holier qualities of mind, so that in patience we may possess our souls." {DA 330.4}
It is not evidence such ones need; this they have had, and are over fed with the precious banquet from heaven’s store house, and them then go away and begin to criticize the messengers and the message God sends until more food would only do them harm. Light from heaven has flashed upon them; they have had evidence piled upon evidence; what they need is not more evidence but a new heart, a converted soul, a new mind, a new purpose. Then they can hear and be blessed. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up for them a standard against him. In the heart will be a burning desire to do something for the Master to give evidence of their love for the truth as it is in Jesus. {Lt 8, 1898, par. 24}
Now God wants His converting power to come on this occasion. There are some that come to our meetings; they will sit all through the meetings; they have borne a few words of testimony now and then. They have gone home and done just exactly, if not worse, than before. Why? Because they had not the new heart. What is the new heart? It is the new mind. What is the mind? It is the will. Where is your will? It is either on Satan’s side or Christ’s side. Now it is [up to] you. Will you put your will today on Christ’s side of the question? That is the new heart. It is the new will, a new mind. “A new heart will I give thee.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] Then let us begin right here. {Ms 36, 1891, par. 43}
"So spiritual is the character of God’s work upon the human heart that receives it, that it makes every one a new creature, without destroying or weakening any capability God has given to man. It purifies every attribute fit for connection with the divine nature. That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, and when man is born from above, a heavenly peace pervades the soul." {Ms1-1897}
What Is The Sign Of A New Heart?
"To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life. There is a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5}
"The love of Christ must be received into the heart and acted out in the life works. The whole heart must be converted to a love of the Saviour. Then, when Christianity is in the heart, religion takes the helm. The Lord Jesus is enthroned in the citadel of the soul. Christ’s pledge must be appreciated: “A new heart will I give you.” [Ezekiel 36:26.] This is what all must have. Allow not your heart to be diverted with foolish matters. Christianity in the heart will make us like Christ." {Ms 65, 1911, par. 19}
"Many who speak to others of the need of a new heart do not themselves know what is meant by these words. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin, not understanding the expression, “Ye must be born again.” {YI September 26, 1901, par. 2}
Satan leads people to think that because they have felt a rapture of feeling, they are converted. But their experience does not change. Their actions are the same as before. Their lives show no good fruit. They pray often and long, and are constantly referring to the feelings they had at such and such a time. But they do not live the new life. They are deceived. Their experience goes no deeper than feeling. They build upon the sand, and when adverse winds come, their house is swept away. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 3}
Many poor souls are groping in darkness, looking for the feelings which others say they have had in their experience. They overlook the fact that the believer in Christ must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. The convicted sinner has something to do. He must repent and show true faith. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 4}
Some make a great mistake by supposing that a high profession will compensate for real service. But a religion which is not practical is not genuine." {YI September 26, 1901, par. 5}
"The Saviour said, “Except a man be born from above,” unless he shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, and motives, leading to a new life, “he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3, margin. The idea that it is necessary only to develop the good that exists in man by nature, is a fatal deception. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 3:7. Of Christ it is written, “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men”—the only “name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” John 1:4; Acts 4:12. {SC 18.2}
"One of the most earnest prayers recorded in the Word of God is that of David when he plead, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” God’s response to such a prayer is, A new heart will I give you. This is a work that no finite man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul. They are to labor earnestly and with humility of heart, each one looking to Jesus for guidance and encouragement. Then the building, fitly framed together, will grow into a holy temple in the Lord. {Lt 224 - 1907}
"They have enlisted in Christ’s army. The warfare is before them, and they enter it bravely and cheerfully, fighting against their natural inclinations and selfish desires, bringing the will into subjection to the will of Christ. Daily they seek the Lord for grace to obey him, and they are strengthened and helped. This is true conversion. In humble, grateful dependence he who has been given a new heart relies upon the help of Christ. He reveals in his life the fruit of righteousness. He once loved himself. Worldly pleasure was his delight. Now his idol is dethroned, and God reigns supreme. The sins he once loved he now hates. Firmly and resolutely he follows in the path of holiness. {YI September 26, 1901, par. 10}
“A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you.” I believe with all my heart that the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world, and those who have had great light and opportunities and have not improved them, will be the first to be left. They have grieved away the Spirit of God. The present activity of Satan in working upon hearts, and upon churches and nations should startle every student of prophecy. The end is near. Let our churches arise. Let the converting power of God be experienced in the heart of the individual members, and then we shall see the deep moving of the Spirit of God. Mere forgiveness of sin is not the sole result of the death of Jesus. He made the infinite sacrifice not only that sin might be removed, but that human nature might be restored, rebeautified, reconstructed from its ruins, and made fit for the presence of God.... {3SM 154.1}
Christ is the ladder which Jacob saw whose base rested on the earth and whose topmost round reached the highest heavens. This shows the appointed method of salvation. We are to climb round after round of this ladder. If any one of us shall finally be saved, it will be by clinging to Jesus as to the rounds of a ladder. Christ is made unto the believer wisdom and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.... {3SM 154.2}
There will be some terrible falls by those who think they stand firm because they have the truth; but they have it not as it is in Jesus. A moment’s carelessness may plunge a soul into irretrievable ruin. One sin leads to the second, and the second prepares the way for a third and so on. We must as faithful messengers of God, plead with Him constantly to be kept by His power. If we swerve a single inch from duty we are in danger of following on in a course of sin that ends in perdition. There is hope for every one of us, but only in one way—by fastening ourselves to Christ, and exerting every energy to attain to the perfection of His character. {3SM 154.3}
"A heart is said to be opened to receive the truth. Is your heart open to receive the truth? The gospel must be received in order to regenerate the heart, and the reception of truth will mean the surrender of mind and will to the will of Divine Power. {Lt44-1899}
There are wonderful sermons on the subject, of which three are added below.
This is one of the better sermons on the subject that I have found. It is not long but packs in a lot of information, including:
"Many who speak to others of the need of a new heart do not themselves know what is meant by these words. The youth especially stumble over this phrase, “a new heart.” They do not know what it means. They look for a special change to take place in their feelings. This they term conversion. Over this error thousands have stumbled to ruin.
"When Jesus speaks of the new heart, he means the mind, the life, the whole being. To have a change of heart is to withdraw the affections from the world, and fasten them upon Christ. To have a new heart is to have a new mind, new purposes, new motives. What is the sign of a new heart?—A changed life."
In this sermon on unity, one of the great fruits of conversion we find important statements on the new heart.
Find some wonderful thoughts on what Christ can do! Notice the following:
"Through Christ, moral power is brought to man that will change the entire affections, and enable man to work with a will for the cause of God. Where all the power of mind and body was before concentrated to work the works of evil, by the Spirit of God a revolution is brought about. The Holy Spirit enlightens, renews, and sanctifies the soul. Angels behold with inexpressible rapture the results of the working of the Holy Spirit in man. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of his love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of God. Love is the agency which God uses to expel sin from the human soul. By it he changes pride into humility, enmity and unbelief into love and faith. He does not employ compulsory measures; Jesus is revealed to the soul, and if man will look in faith to the Lamb of God, he will live."
This illustration comes from Meade MacGuire's book Lamb's Among Wolves, and shares how God restored a marriage when the request was made of a new heart.