The human heart is difficult to define…. It pumps blood in a physical sense; but

2. These various functions often clash, leaving our hearts conflicted and divided rather than whole- then we stop thinking and acting reasonably, cf. 2Chron.25:1-2,14-15. The human heart is difficult to define…. It pumps blood in a physical sense;but Also is the seat of our emotions, The source of our desires,and The center of our intellect. Surely it should be “kept” with all diligence, for out of it flow all aspects of our lives, Prov.4:23!

3. Knowledge:Emotion or Evidence? This divided, rather whole-hearted condition usually causes us to “think” and act with the wrong part of our hearts- like our desires or emotions, rather than our intellect. Then we, like Amaziah, wind up making decisions based on desires or emotions masquerading as “knowledge.” So, how can we be assured that our “knowledge” has not been thus tainted? What is the basis of that which you “know”?

4. Let’s consider three separate physicalareas to illustrate how we come to have knowledge so that we can better understand ourselves spiritually: • How do you “know” George Washington was a real person? • How do you “know” your spouse loves you? • How do you “know” you are a legal citizen of this country? We’ll take them in order in hopes of realizing how we come to have real “knowledge” of anything. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

5. How do you “know” George Washington was a real person? • Is it just a feeling(emotional “knowledge”) you have, or is there evidence to support this conclusion? • There are historical records, eye-witness accounts, and all sorts of documentation (portraits, verified signatures, etc.), right? So, you have “knowledge” that George Washington existed as a real person based on evidencerather than emotion/feelings. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

6. How do you “know” your spouse loves you? • Is it just a feeling(emotional “knowledge”) you have, or is there evidence to support this conclusion? • Is there testimony to support the conclusion? • Do you have experiences to support the conclusion? • Is there documentation to support the conclusion? So, you have “knowledge” that your spouse loves you based on evidencerather than emotion/feelings. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

7. How do you “know” you are a legal citizen of this country? • Is it just a feeling(emotional “knowledge”) you have, or is there evidence to support this conclusion? • Were there specific steps that were taken to become a citizen, either by you or your parents? • Is there documentation proving your citizenship? • Is there evidence that you have lived as a citizen? So, you have “knowledge” that you are a legal citizen of this country that is based on evidencerather than emotion/feelings. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

8. The point so far is simple, and probably painfully obvious: • Our “knowledge” of historical characters, spousal relationships, and legal citizenship is not based on mere feelings(emotional “knowledge”), but on evidence which unquestionably supports the conclusions. • This is just the way we human beings are, when we are thinking with the right part of our “hearts”! But, there are also examples of the opposite side of these things: • People who believe that some historical figure or event didn’t really exist. (Jesus Christ, moon landing, Holocaust) • Stalkers who imagine a personal relationship with a celebrity. • People who claim citizenship without any supporting evidence. However, this isn’t just a lesson on how we humans come to have “knowledge” of historical figures, spousal relationships, and legal citizenship…. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

9. Let’s make the spiritual applications of these things… • How do you “know” God exists? Is it just a feeling you have, or is there supporting evidence? • Does Heb.11:3require “blind” faith? Not at all: • Acts 14:11-17provides sustainingwitnesses • Rom.1:18-20calls attention to evidence, cp.Heb.3:4 • Psalm 19:1-6likewise points to existing evidence. Our “knowledge” of God’s existence isn’t dependent on mere emotions, but tangible evidence. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

10. Let’s make the spiritual applications of these things… • How do you “know” you have a real spousal relationship based on love with Jesus Christ? Is it just a feeling you have, or is there supporting evidence? • Rom.5:8provides evidence of His love for you; • Is there reciprocalevidenceon your part? John 14:15 • Is there likewise evidence of marital requirements being met, Eph.5:22-24,31-32? He meets His, do you? • Is there real evidence of a relationship, or are you just a “Christian stalker” who imaginesone because you’re thinking with the wrong part of your heart? 1John 2:3 Our “knowledge” of a loving spousal relationship with Christ isn’t based on mere emotions, but tangible evidence. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

11. Let’s make the spiritual applications of these things… • How do you “know” you are a citizen the kingdom of heaven? Is it just a feeling you have, or is there supporting evidence? • Have you been legally transferred into the kingdom, Col.1:9-14; 2:12; 3:1, or are you trying to sneak into it illegally? • Is there evidence of your submission to the laws of the kingdom, or are you still living by the laws of your former country? Matt.6:24ff; Phil.3:20 • Do you maintain right relationships with fellow-citizens, or are you still foreign to them, and them to you? Eph.2:19 • Is there real evidence of citizenship, or are you just an illegal alien trying to hide out in the kingdom of heaven to enjoy its benefits? What does the evidence say? 1John 5:13 Our “knowledge” of true citizenship in the kingdom isn’t based on just emotions, but tangible evidence. Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?

12. Time for conclusions: • Emotional ties should be part of our spiritual relationship to God, Christ, and the kingdom- and if they aren’t, something is definitely wrong. But…. • If our knowledge of God’s existence, our relationship with Christ, and our citizenship in the kingdom of heaven is based solely on emotionrather than evidence, we are probably fooling ourselves about them. • God loves you, and expects you to love Him- but both provides and requires validatingevidence of the same. Now, is your “knowledge” of God and your relationship with Him based on emotion, or is there confirming evidence? Knowledge: Emotional or Evidentiary?