Soul Surgery

I have undergone a few surgeries in my life, for my foot and knees, and even had my tonsils out when I was ten. I learned a lot along the way about the body's complexities. I have learned the truth of what the psalmist declares, that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14 NKJV). But there is another surgery, far deeper and more complex: surgery for the soul, done by the Lord God. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV) The surgery is to remove the love of the world from our hearts, and, however uncomfortable, this surgery is vital to growth in the Christian life.

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever. (NKJV)

"The world" in this context isn't our planet or the people on it, but sinful humanity which rebels against God and distrusts His Word. "The world" wants our hearts and our love, expressed in our time, our focus, and our expenditures. It promises that progress, new technology, and better processes can make us better off — and we like being comfortable! The thing is that the world system is on its way out; it lasts only as long as we are alive, and it never wins out over God.

The world buys our hearts with nice things to make us feel at home here, but it is incompatible with the Father's heart and love. In Eden, Adam and Eve saw with the lust of the flesh that the fruit satisfied, with the lust of the eyes that it looked delicious, and with the pride of life that eating it would make them wise and powerful, like God. The world's things make us feel good, but when misused, they are sinful, for God's nature doesn't influence us that way. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b NKJV)

Do we want this surgery of heart and soul? Will our standard of success be of the world or of God? Do we show up at church, listen to the service, then go home and get on with our life on the world's terms? How do we measure our own spiritual growth? Surgery of our hearts is painful, but necessary, for it shows how great our need is for the Lord.

Romans 12:2 – 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. (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, we thank You that Jesus knows how strong the struggle is when Your will comes up against our desires. Give us the grace to believe Your promises and obey Your commands, and the strength to carry the loads that You call us to carry. Amen.