A New Heart, A New Language

Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

The Christian journey is a remarkable path of spiritual change for each of us. It's not merely about tweaking our actions or adopting a new set of rules; it's about a complete spiritual renewal that begins at our deepest core—our heart. Scripture invites us to actively "put off the old man" and "put on the new" (Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10). This call isn't for superficial adjustments, but for a fundamental shift away from our former ways, which were "corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4:22), and towards embracing the "new man who was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). This ongoing process actively renews our understanding, conforming us to God's image (Colossians 3:10), reshaping our desires, refining our perspectives, and ultimately, redefining how we live out our faith. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 powerfully declares, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

To truly grasp this transformation, we must first confront the core problem of humanity: the condition of our heart. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Left to its own inclinations, the human heart is inherently drawn towards sin and self-centeredness. This isn't just a matter of making individual wrong choices; it's a foundational spiritual state. We are born with what the Bible describes as a "heart of stone"—a heart unresponsive to God, rigid in its resistance, and incapable of truly connecting with His divine purposes. This stony heart is the very root of our separation from God and our inability to live a genuinely righteous life on our own terms. "Our hearts, left to themselves, are hearts of stone."

Because our natural hearts are corrupted by sin, simply "trying harder" or modifying external behavior is simply not enough. This brings us to the absolute necessity of rebirth, a divine solution. Jesus Himself stated in John 3:3, 5-7, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" We need a radical, spiritual new beginning. This rebirth is not a human achievement; it is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, granting us a completely new nature and a fresh capacity to understand and respond to God. "You can't fix a heart of stone; you need a new one."

This is precisely where God offers His remarkable promise of a "heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26-27 paints a vivid picture: "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." This powerful prophecy directly addresses humanity's heart problem. God promises to remove that hardened, sinful heart of stone and replace it with a responsive, living heart of flesh. This new heart is sensitive to God's will and empowered by His Spirit, enabling us to obey Him and live a life that genuinely pleases Him. This divine "heart transplant" is the very essence of true transformation. "God exchanges our heart of stone for a heart of flesh."

True Christian living is far more than simply "faking it till you make it." It's not about attempting to mimic righteous behavior while our inner desires remain untouched. Such an approach is ultimately unsustainable and inauthentic. Instead, it's a genuine transformation that starts deep within, specifically with the "renewing of our mind," as Romans 12:2 instructs: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." As our thoughts and perspectives are reshaped by God's truth, our desires, attitudes, and ultimately our actions naturally begin to align with His will. This internal renovation is what enables lasting, authentic change. "Transformation starts in the mind, not just in actions."

One of the most immediate and clearly observable indicators of this inner transformation is found in our language. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34); thus, our words serve as a direct reflection of what truly resides within us. If our heart has been given a divine "transplant," then the outward manifestation of that new life will inevitably surface in our communication.

The tongue, though a "little member," can boast great things, capable of setting "on fire the course of nature" (James 3:5-6). It possesses immense power—for good or for ill—as "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Before transformation, our words may have been marked by negativity, gossip, anger, or deceit—a clear sign of the "heart of stone." But when we allow the Holy Spirit to genuinely transform our hearts, our language shifts from corrupt communication to speech that builds up and gives grace to the hearers. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29). This commitment to edifying language is not only uplifting for us individually but is a vital force for unity and growth within the body of Christ, strengthening relationships and reflecting the character of God to a watching world. "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Colossians 4:6).

While we may desire to change our habits, true Christian transformation is never just behavior modification. It is an act of God, taking out our heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh, empowered by His Spirit. This internal renewal, especially the renewing of our mind, is what truly changes us. And one of the most compelling and consistent evidences of this deep, genuine change within a believer is the transformation of their speech—a beautiful testament to God's living work in their life.