Our heart is the core of our being.
As such, it is important what attitudes we are manifesting
This reveals which heart we are operating out of – our old heart of flesh, or our new heart that comes from God with our new Spirit
This is what Jesus meant when He said we can discern the contents of a person’s heart by their fruits (i.e. attitudes, words, actions):
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them. (Matthew 7:16-20)
The Apostle Paul tells us exactly what fruits (bad and good) to look for:
:First, the bad fruits which come out of our heart of flesh:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
The good fruits which come out of our new heart and new spirit represent the righteousness of God:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-25)
You can find a study on each of these good fruits under the Spiritual Edification – Spiritual Checkup menu
On the sub-menu for Heart Attitudes, you will find more detailed discussions of Love, Joy and Mercy.
Also included are studies of shame and discouragement and how to overcome them becuase they drag us down into our old heart of flesh.
Gospel of Grace 