Searching for Jehovah With a Prepared Heart

Factors That Enrich the "Soil of Our Heart

Let us consider some factors, or qualities, that will enrich the "soil" of our heart so that it favors healthy growth. There are, of course, many things that will improve our heart, but here we will consider six: a recognition of our spiritual need, humility, honesty, godly fear, faith and love.

"Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need," Jesus said. (Matthew 5:3) Like physical hunger that reminds us of our need to eat, an awareness of our spiritual need keeps us hungry for spiritual food. By nature, humans have a craving for such food because it gives meaning and purpose to life. Pressures from Satan's system of things, or sheer laziness when it comes to study may dull our consciousness of this need. Even so, Jesus said: "Man must live not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth." -Matthew 4:4.

In a literal way, regular, balanced, and wholesome meals promote bodily health, and they also incline the body to develop an appetite for the next meal when the time arrives. The same is true in a spiritual sense. You may not consider yourself to be a studious person, but if you make it a habit to read publications on a regular basis, you will find that your appetite increases. In fact, you will eagerly look forward to your times for Bible study. So do not give up easily; work hard to develop a wholesome spiritual appetite.

Next time: Humility Softens the Heart

Watchtower, 2000