from A Heart Like God's series
When you become a believer in Christ, something incredible happens—you receive a new heart. This isn’t just a metaphorical change; it’s a profound transformation that affects every aspect of your life. Just as a physical heart transplant can cause a person to take on the desires, interests, and even personality traits of the donor, our spiritual heart transplant does something even more miraculous: it encodes God’s desires into our very being.
The Fascinating Reality of Physical Heart Transplants
Research into heart transplants reveals something astonishing—recipients often adopt characteristics of their donors. Here are some remarkable examples:
Claire Sylvia was a 47-year-old woman who received a heart and lung transplant from an 18-year-old male donor. Before the transplant, she had no particular interest in fast food. However, after the surgery, she developed a sudden craving for chicken nuggets and beer, the favorite foods of her donor. Along with these new cravings, Claire also noticed changes in her attitude, becoming more relaxed and carefree—traits her donor was known for.
An 8-year-old girl received the heart of a 10-year-old girl who had been murdered. After the transplant, the recipient began experiencing vivid nightmares of being murdered in exactly the same way as her donor. These dreams were so detailed that they eventually led to the identification and conviction of the murderer.
Sunny Graham, a man who received the heart of a donor who had committed suicide, developed a strong emotional connection to the donor’s widow and eventually married her. Tragically, Sunny later took his own life in the same manner as his donor, despite never having had suicidal tendencies before.
A middle-aged woman who received the heart of a young athletic man suddenly developed a love for biking and physical activity, mirroring her donor’s active lifestyle. Another woman who received the heart of a football-loving man began to enjoy watching football, even adopting the habit of shouting at the TV during games—something she never did before.
These stories illustrate that a physical heart carries more than just blood—it seems to carry memories, desires, and traits that can profoundly influence the recipient. Now, imagine how much more powerful the transformation is when God gives us a new spiritual heart.
A Spiritual Heart Transplant: Encoded with God’s Desires
Just as a physical heart transplant can change a person's cravings and behaviors, our new spiritual heart is designed to align our desires with God’s. Ezekiel 36:26-27 speaks of this profound change: "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. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."
When you receive this new heart, it’s no longer a struggle to follow God. Your new heart naturally desires to obey Him. Just as a physical heart transplant can make someone crave new foods or adopt new hobbies, your spiritual heart makes you crave righteousness, love, and the things of God.
Living from Your New Heart
However, the key to experiencing the full benefits of this spiritual heart transplant is to align your mind with your new heart. Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This means feeding on God’s Word, meditating on His promises, and continually reminding yourself of who you are in Christ.
Faith: Your new heart is wired for faith. Just as a transplanted heart brings new physical vitality, your spiritual heart empowers you to live out the faith that naturally produces good works in your life.
Hope: With your new heart, you have a confident expectation of God’s goodness. If you’re feeling disappointed, it’s a sign that you’re not fully living in hope. Shift your focus back to God’s promises and let hope inspire endurance in your walk with Christ.
Love: Love is the greatest of all. Your new heart is infused with God’s love, and it naturally desires to express that love in everything you do. When love is your motivation, your actions reflect God’s heart, and transformation flows naturally.
Embrace the Transformation
The reality is that you have been given a new heart—one that is encoded with God’s desires. Just as physical heart transplant recipients take on the characteristics of their donors, you have received a heart that desires what God desires, loves what God loves, and naturally resists what is contrary to His nature.
As you go through your week, keep asking yourself: "Am I living from my new heart? Is my mind in alignment with who God says I am?" When challenges arise, let faith, hope, and love be your guide. Remember, God has done a complete work in you. Your heart is new, and you have everything you need to live the life He has called you to live.
Transformation is not about striving harder; it’s about letting the new heart God has given you lead the way. Trust in the work He has done in you, and watch as your desires, interests, and actions begin to reflect His nature more and more each day.
This message and article are from “A Heart Like God’s” series by Clint Byars. Click to read all the articles and watch the sermons in this series from this series. Or watch this series on YouTube.
