Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

We have been talking about learning the language of faith and I have pointed out that only this new heart can receive the words of faith, so it is vital that you obtain this new heart. Without it you cannot receive the word of faith. How do we receive this change of heart?

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The born again are born with this new heart. Nicodemus’ response is the natural quest we all must seek.

John3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered as plainly as He had to with Nicodemus who was very familiar with the Old Testament scriptures, prophecies and instructions. For most of us, the answer still holds some mystery.

John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

In order to understand more clearly, we must return once again to the parable of the sower where those first words of faith were spoken. The gospel of faith was planted into the prepared heart.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

It all begins with the heart that is prepared to receive.

Matthew 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

When we do not understand a teacher, we ask for an explanation. Often when that teacher gives a more detail explanation of the lesson and we understand, we reply “I see.” While the expression is not literal in the sense of vision it does communicate our understanding.

Today’s opening verse is the ending of the parable of the sower. This parable is so important that Jesus explains the parable so that we might see its meaning. It is that important.

Matthew 13:23a But he that received seed (the gospel) into the good ground (your heart) is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it;

I want you to concentrate upon the understanding here. Receiving the gospel message into your heart with understanding is virtually learning your first Word in the language of faith. It is not received thru the ears and translated by the mind. It is received into your heart and translated by faith.

All learned language begins with one word of utterance. A baby that says “Daddy” or “Momma” is taught to speak what it hears, perhaps even before there is an understanding in context, that this man is daddy or this woman is momma.

Hearing this first word of faith with understanding works in the same way but in the changed heart.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Ever heard the term stone deaf? The stony heart is stone deaf. This new heart hears this faith language. How do we translate this faith language into our native tongue? This is where the Holy Spirit comes into play.

John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.