A Tender Heart. 2

First, by guarding against everything which is hostile to it. To be more specific: it is sin which hardens the heart. In exact proportion as sin obtains dominion over us, do we steal ourselves against God. And it is just here that our accountability comes in: "Awake to righteousness, and sin not" (1 Corinthians 15:34). Thought we cannot impart a tender heart, we can certainly impair one. "Harden not your hearts" was the Lord's call to His people of old, and to us also today; and if we are to comply therewith, we must fear, hate, and resist sin!

Sin is insidious. Scripture speaks of "the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13). If we are not on our guard, it will steal upon us unawares; unless we are wide awake and alert to the danger, sin will overcome us like the fumes of a deadly gas. That is why the Lord bids us "Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41). Yes, watch as well as pray, and pray as well as watch. We all know what happened to Peter because he failed so to do, and his case is recorded as a solemn warning for us. "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away" (Proverbs 4:14, 15). Notice carefully how the same prohibition is iterated and re-iterated again and again in these verses. It is the first approach of sin—which we most need to resist. It is by making conscience of its earliest stirrings within, that a tender heart is preserved.

Every Christian will readily allow that sin is insidious—but it is one thing to recognize this in theory and quite another to be regulated by it in practice. All will agree that one of the most effective means of victory over sin is to steadfastly refuse its first advances; yet the fact remains that few do so. It is at this very point we must take our stand, if a tender heart is to be retained. But how? By guarding against carnality. Thingsindifferent become a snare if they are not kept within due bounds. That which is lawful is not always expedient. An immoderate use of the world, will bind chains upon us, which are not easily snapped. Inordinate affection for those nearest to us, will sap true spirituality. Beware, then, of setting your love too much upon mere things or creatures.

Nothing will keep the heart tender so much as cultivating the spirit of filial awe. Alas that this is now so rarely insisted upon. "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil" (Proverbs 8:13). Necessarily so, for God is ineffably holy, and where He is revered, sin is loathed. "By the fear of the Lord, men depart from evil" (Proverbs 16:6), for two cannot walk together except they are agreed. The more concerned I am not to displease my Master—the more shall I shun that which He forbids. "Be in the fear of the Lord all the day long" (Proverbs 23:17), for "Happy is the man who fears always" (Proverbs 28:14). We must strive to be in the fear of God not only in the first hour of devotion—but throughout the day. The more we live in the conscious realization that the eyes of the Holy One are upon us—the more will our hearts be kept truly tender.

"Because your heart was tender" (2 Kings 22:19). What a desirable thing is a tender heart. How earnestly we should aspire after one. And when such has been graciously bestowed upon us, what diligence we should exercise in seeking to preserve the same. The tenderness of Josiah's heart was precious in the sight of the Lord, and in consequence thereof, his prayers were answered, as the remainder of our opening text declares. There is nothing like a tender heart, my reader, for obtaining the ear of the Lord. A tender heart is one which is responsive to the voice of God, and unless we possess this, how can we expect Him to hear our calls? A tender heart is the only one which truly honors God, as it is the only one which ensures our growth in grace. How deeply important, then, is the question, 'Have you, have I, really a tender heart?' May we be enabled to answer truthfully.

In the last two issues, we pointed out some of the principal characteristics of a tender heart, and also sought to indicate those duties which must be performed if we are to retain this valuable possession. But it is probable that many of our readers would prefer for us to tell them how a tender heart may be recovered. They are already persuaded of the great excellence of this spiritual treasure, and they also perceive clearly what is necessary in order to retain it. What grieves them is that they are conscious of guilty failure in safeguarding this Divine gift. They are sensible that the fine gold has become dim, that little foxes have spoiled their vines, that their conscience is no longer so sensitive as it once was, that they do not respond so readily to the motions of God's Spirit; that much hardness now resides in their hearts.

It is sadly true that a tender heart may be lost: not absolutely so—but relatively; not permanently—but temporarily. But sadder still is the fact that many who have suffered this deprivation are unconscious of it. It is with them as it was with Ephraim of old: "Strangers have devoured his strength—and he knows it not! Yes, gray hairs are here and there upon him—yet he knows not!" (Hosea 7:9). They may still attend the means of grace and perform their outward devotions—but their hearts are not in them. They may still be respected by their fellow-Christians and regarded as in a healthy spiritual state—while in reality they are backsliders. Sights from which they once shrank—appall them no longer. Things which used to exercise their conscience—do so no more. The standard at which they formerly aimed—is now regarded as too strict and severe.

Said the Apostle to the Galatians, "You did run well, who (or "what") has hindered you?" (5:7). What are the things which destroy tenderness of heart? Ungodly companions is one. Satan will tell the young Christian that he or she may keep old friends and suffer no loss—but God says, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Friendship with worldlings will soon have a paralyzing influence upon true spirituality.

Prayerlessness is another thing which speedily affects the heart. Unless a close fellowship with God be maintained—and that is impossible if the Throne of Grace is neglected—coldness and hardness will soon steal upon us.

Equally so will a neglect of the Word. This will not necessarily mean the omission of reading so many chapters each day—but the absence of actually communing with God therein.

The spirit of hypocrisy, pretending to be what we are not, hardens the heart—for insincerity and tenderness are incompatible.

Yes, a tender heart may be lost—as truly as first love may be left (Revelation 2:4). Can it be regained? Yes, though not as easily as it may be hardened. How?

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