36:26Ezekiel 36:26

God promises to take away the hard, stubborn, unbelieving heart that resists Him and to give in its place a living, tender and responsive heart full of mercy and love.Lt 30, 1895, par. 29–31+4 The new heart is a new mind and will, with new purposes, motives and springs of action and a clear understanding of truth and duty.CT 452.3+2 It is the new birth that every fallen person must experience to see or enter the kingdom of God, and no outward obedience, church connection or change of doctrine can take its place.MYP 71.1–2+4 It cannot be bought, earned by intellect or secured by personal struggle, but God gives it in answer to sincere, believing prayer to those who yield wholly, repent, confess and grasp the promise by faith in Christ.GW92 451.3–4+4 When received it transforms the whole life, freeing from sin's bondage, bringing willing obedience from love, and making the heart compassionate toward the suffering, gentle toward the erring and united with others in brotherly love.Ms 2, 1903, par. 27+4

The stony heart is hard, stubborn, resistant, defiant, rebellious and unbelieving, shutting itself against divine messages and remaining unchanged unless God works upon it.Lt 30, 1895, par. 29–31+4 When the promise is fulfilled the inward condition becomes altogether different, with feebleness of faith removed and willingness to do the divine will and accept the way of salvation in place of worldly ambition.Ms 14, 1904, par. 6+4 Repeated rejection hardens, while the contrite heart receives the answer of a tender and responsive heart.Lt 30, 1895, par. 29–31

The heart of flesh given in its place is living, tender, soft, responsive and compassionate, quick to perceive need, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, and reflecting divine mercy and love.STMW9 20.1–21.1+4 It is softened and subdued by transforming power into the divine likeness, with tender sympathy reaching out as Christ did for the salvation of a lost world.Lt 136, 1901, par. 6–11+2 It feels the sorrows and suffering of others and answers with help to the hungry, naked, suffering and perishing, to widows, orphans, the poor, the infirm and the oppressed, instead of hard, unfeeling indifference or harsh coercion that alienates souls and makes them blame truth for the cruelty of its professed believers.STMW9 20.1–21.1+2

The new heart is a new mind with new purposes, motives and springs of action, for the mind is the will, either on Satan's side or on Christ's side, and to receive it is to put the will on Christ's side.CT 452.3+3 It does not add new mental powers but removes the darkness that ignorance and sin brought over the understanding, bringing clear understanding of truth and Christian duty and sound judgment.CT 452.3+2 That clarity grows with understanding of the Word, so that close, prayerful attention to Scripture and making its truths part of life enlarges and strengthens the mind, refines taste, and makes men new creatures as though raised to a higher intelligence.CT 452.3+2 It is resignation to the divine will, perfect trust and repose, meek and humble submission in which self no longer seeks supremacy, withdrawing the affections from the world to fasten them upon Christ.Ms 38, 1895, par. 12–14+1

The promise stands together with cleansing from all filthiness and idols and with God putting His Spirit within to cause walking in His statutes and keeping and doing His judgments.Ms 16, 1898, par. 12–13+4 It is the Holy Spirit's work of cleansing mind and heart, turning from sin, ending spiritual lethargy, bringing the grace of salvation, conviction of sin, wholehearted turning, confession, reconciliation, and display of God's holiness.Ms 122, 1903, par. 8+3 Repentance and turning to God belong to its fulfillment, and obedience becomes possible through the indwelling Spirit.Ms 122, 1903, par. 8+2

It was given to Israel long before as God's assurance for His holy name, not because the people earned it, and it leaves no excuse for blindness about regeneration.Ms 95, 1903, par. 11–14+2 It begins the work that fits the penitent to share the inheritance of the saints, taking them as His people with Himself as their God as they walk in His statutes.Ms 128, 1901, par. 34–36 Those moved by conviction see that there is nothing good in themselves and that all they have done is mingled with self and sin, and like the publican confess their sinfulness; there is forgiveness because Christ takes away sin, cleansing scarlet to white as snow and as wool. The natural heart is defiled and must be cleansed before fitness for the kingdom of heaven and for service, which rigid outward obedience to the letter while neglecting holiness of heart and violating the spirit of the law can never supply.DA 173.2–174.1+1

It means more than mere forgiveness, for Christ's infinite sacrifice removes sin and restores, rebeautifies and reconstructs ruined human nature to make it fit for God's presence and service.2MR 268.2–270.2+2 The renewed mind restores the moral image in the soul, removes what is wrong in heart, life and character, overcomes evil traits, and prepares for a home with the saints in light and readiness for service.2MR 268.2–270.2+2 It is the inward work of grace upon the unregenerate heart, not the resurrection of the body from the grave nor the birth of a nation in a day.2SP 129.1+1

The new heart promised is the new birth, and many who speak of it do not understand it, over which youth especially stumble.MYP 71.1–2+4 Every child of fallen Adam must be born again or will never see God, never see or discern the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven, and never enter the kingdom of heaven.MYP 71.1–2+4 That inward change is a new moral birth with cleansing from sin and renewing of knowledge and holiness, in which hardness is removed and tenderness is given and the Spirit is put within to cause walking in statutes, and it is necessary for entrance and for fitness for service.Lt 200, 1902, par. 19–21+3 Strict outward obedience to the letter of the law cannot take its place, especially rigid precision while neglecting holiness of heart and violating the spirit of the law.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60+1 The promise was given to Israel long before, leaving no excuse for blindness about regeneration, and it brings new purposes and new springs of action by which all things become new.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60+1 It is given to those who repent and turn to the Lord, with immediate divine cooperation, with power supplied by the Holy Spirit and with revelation of the things of God to those who follow in meekness and humility.Lt 200, 1902, par. 19–21+2 It is obtained by believing in the Son of man lifted up as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, by trusting in the only begotten Son for eternal life, with the Spirit molding and fashioning the heart daily and giving divine insight to perceive the character of the kingdom, as seen when Nicodemus was converted and became a true believer.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60

The new heart is not a special change to take place in feelings, and to call such a change conversion is an error over which thousands have stumbled to ruin.MYP 71.1–2 No one must wait for a marked feeling or special evidence before believing God has accepted them, for God accepts those who turn from sin and earnestly seek Him, and they may trust that acceptance without waiting for a later experience to date conversion.MYP 71.1–2+3 Nor must anyone wait for a sudden irresistible change in feelings or physical strength, for God accepts people when they become sick of sin, lose desire for worldly pleasure, and resolve to seek Him earnestly.Ms 55, 1910, par. 1–3+1 The new heart is taken by trusting known truth on its own merits rather than depending on feeling, and by holding to truth even when only a minority stands with it and numbers are against it.Lt 29, 1893, par. 6

Conversion is not merely turning from one doctrine to another or accepting new theories, even in joining a church established on the true foundation.Ms 130, 1897, par. 4–5+1 It is not connection with the church, having a name placed on the church roll, performing a round of prescribed duties from year to year, writing in defense of Christianity, preaching pleasing and entertaining sermons, or having intellectual familiarity with sacred truths while remaining self-sufficient, exalted, and far from Christ in genuine experience and still unconverted.Lt 21, 1893, par. 13–14+3 A person may know and defend religious truth, perform church duties, or preach while truth reaches only the intellect and leaves the heart unchanged.Lt 43, 1886, par. 12–14+2 Mere profession of religion cannot save, for salvation requires the character of Christ revealed in the follower, with the lost image of God restored and the marred character reshaped after the divine pattern and made beautiful with divine glory, so that out of a poor, ignorant, misshaped character a new, beautiful, symmetrical character reflecting that likeness is formed.Lt 21, 1893, par. 13–14+1 Truth may be accepted and even preached while the heart remains uncleansed, with self woven into the work and harsh, unchristlike manners at home and toward others, and those set in their ideas, whose doctrines are stereotyped and unchangeable, who walk after traditions and commandments of men and cling to dead forms and ceremonies without vitality, have no room as new bottles to contain the gospel and its doctrine of truth and life.Lt 43, 1886, par. 12–14+1 So the self-righteous, punctilious in observances yet destitute of devotion like the scribes and Pharisees, who feel no need of a Saviour and no need of a new heart, are passed by, for profession without a changed heart is not enough to be accepted as a son or daughter of God.Ms 27, 1902, par. 29+1

The change is the miracle of Christ's grace, the creating and converting power of God at work within, the greatest miracle that can be performed.9T 152.1+3 It creates a higher life and holier enthusiasm, and by faith divine power can be taken hold of.9T 152.1+1 Every conversion is a miracle wrought by the Holy Spirit, fulfilled when a person under strong delusion and conflicting worldly influences is set free, yields wholeheartedly, and turns from falsehood to truth and from sin to righteousness.Lt 99, 1895, par. 5–6 Then the stony, stubborn, wayward character is transformed, peace and understanding of moral truth are given, and the person is made a temple for the indwelling Spirit.Lt 99, 1895, par. 5–6+1 God implants enmity against Satan, frees from stubborn self-will and delusion, and leads the converted to love God and keep His commandments, making the transformed life evidence of the living Saviour's work and of the gospel's divine origin, with the word made a regenerating power.DA 407.1+1 By the Spirit God removes inner hardness and gives a soft, responsive inner life, which is regeneration changing the whole moral taste so that a person loves things once hated and hates things once delighted in, making living, shining lights in darkness and true representatives and monuments of the Spirit's power upon human hearts.ST Nov 13, 1893

To have the new heart is to have a change of the mind, the life, the whole being, withdrawing affections from the world and fastening them upon Christ, with a new mind, new purposes, new impulses and new motives.MYP 72.1+2 Old things pass away and all things become new, with the old life put away and a life of righteousness and holiness formed, making a new creation.Lt 165, 1904, par. 16+1 The sign is a changed life, shown in a daily, hourly dying to selfishness and pride.MYP 72.1 The inward change becomes visible in fruit of heart, speech, and character, with different measures of fruitfulness, some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundredfold.TEPD 43.1 Instead of complaining, faultfinding, and stirring up disaffection, the tongue speaks words that bind together, and profession is shown genuine by love and faith purifying the heart, preparing for the latter rain and for life in the kingdom.Ms 36, 1891, par. 23–26 The one truly converted humbly and gratefully depends on Christ for help, turns from sins and worldly pleasures once loved, follows holiness revealing the fruit of righteousness, and by believing and obeying enters fellowship with Christ, acting on new strong principles and following step by step until complete in Him.ST Sep 13, 1899+1

Receiving the new heart and spirit brings light in place of shadow and fills life with joy and peace.Ms 12, 1902, par. 11–12+2 That experience is shown in daily faith, hope, and courage, and in magnifying deep, compelling love, and it calls for acceptance.Ms 12, 1902, par. 11–12 The inward change of spirit can be seen in a changed life and countenance, with those newly come to faith entirely changed in spirit and bearing witness.15MR 226.1–2+1 A new song is put in the mouth, with proclamation of the way of salvation and a testimony of grace, while going on from one act of obedience to another, sowing spiritual seed and reaping a glorious harvest of truth.Lt 99, 1895, par. 5–6+2 The complete change of all thoughts, with old things passed away and all things become new, follows consent to the cure for the leprosy of sin in preparation for the coming of the Lord.Lt 144, 1893, par. 7

The peace, forgiveness and renewal the sinner needs — heaven's forgiveness with peace and love in the soul — cannot be bought with money, procured by intellect, attained by wisdom, or secured by personal effort, agonizing day and night, struggling and wrestling, which leave a person just as far from it as before.SC 49.2+2 God Himself must give it, and Jesus Himself gives it as a gift without price, even to lives and characters marred and ruined by sin, restoring the lost image of God, reshaping the misshaped character after His own pattern and making it beautiful with His glory.Lt 21, 1893, par. 13–14+3 It becomes ours when the hand is reached out to grasp it, for no one can prepare the garment of righteousness for self but must put on the righteousness of Christ.SC 49.2+1

God answers the plea and daily prayer for a clean heart by giving a new heart and a new spirit within, and this inward change is the beginning of right living and of genuine, lasting reformation, sure through every phase of experience.GW92 451.3–4+3 The promise is to be claimed in prayer as God's promissory note, assuring those who ask that He will give a clean heart, with cleansing and sanctifying of the inner life as will and way are surrendered.Ms 27, 1903, par. 1+2 It is sought through sincere, contrite, fervent and believing prayer with the whole heart.Lt 9, 1896, par. 9+1

The gift is received by believing the bare promise, reaching out the hand and grasping it, trusting known truth on its own merits rather than depending on feeling, resting with unwavering faith on Christ's merits and promises, looking to Jesus, and rising up and following Him at once as Matthew did when told to follow, without waiting until feeling good enough or until feeling awful agony for sin.SC 49.2+3 Conversion is more than agreeing with truth or admiring grace; through faith the receiver takes what Christ has provided to do everything that needs to be done, receives grace, reflects the divine image in spirit and character, and gives clear evidence of being a child of God, even holding to truth when only a minority stands with it.Ms 12, 1891, par. 19+1 The will is either on Satan's side or on Christ's side, and receiving the new heart means putting mind and will on Christ's side today as simply as a little child, for without this even attending meetings and speaking testimony leaves a person unchanged or worse.Ms 36, 1891, par. 43–45 The weak, sinful, ignorant, unworthy and despairing one who comes just as he is, sensing deep soul-poverty with nothing good in self, is met a great way off, clothed in the white raiment of Christ's character, and saved through Christ as surety, whose blood pleads with greater power than Satan's accusation.Lt 43, 1892, par. 16–17+1

Receiving it requires yielding the whole heart and will to God without reservation, with full, unreserved surrender and placing the whole heart in His hands so He shapes the will to accord with His own.Ms 29, 1896, par. 14–15+1 It is a decided work of the Holy Spirit that no one can do for self, received by living faith that falls on the Rock and is broken, with soul-repentance, humiliation, transformation of character, thorough confession to God and to wronged ones, making wrongs right, and putting away pride, self-esteem, unbelief, stubbornness, self-trust, impulses and self-originated ideas that bar the Spirit and bring confusion and darkness.Lt 87, 1890, par. 5+2 Those who surrender wholly serve willingly as faithful soldiers, and the promise is fulfilled personally to each one who recognizes need and asks with the whole heart.Lt 13, 1898, par. 20–21+2

The promise is God's assurance and sure pledge of help to those who seek Him wholeheartedly and cooperate with Him, and He is trustworthy to do His part.1MR 115.2–3+2 Yet He cannot fulfill it while a person refuses to let Him take away transgressions and supposes disobedience has placed him beyond help, and when fulfillment is not received heaven has not failed but the covenant has been broken on the human side.ST Mar 16, 1904 The way is to stop worrying, come as a penitent child, confess, take hold of His strength, make peace with Him, look to Christ every moment, believe, and open the door of the heart to let Jesus in, receiving daily the converting power that heals the serpent's sting, ends self, gives peace with God, and makes the resisting heart new and living.ST Mar 16, 1904+1 This renewal is needed to receive the Spirit rather than judge, find fault and reject light, and it rights the wrongs of disposition in meekness and humility before the sovereign God who has power to help despite human inability.Lt 13, 1898, par. 22–23+1

Only divine power can melt the hard, stony heart, lead to repentance and bring the sinner to Christ, changing it into a soft, tender, responsive heart willing to obey, and this is a creative work of the Holy Spirit that no human being can accomplish.Lt 224, 1907, par. 6+2 Teachers cannot produce it by their own ability, and when selfishness, self-exaltation and the desire to criticize are purged away the Spirit molds and fashions heart and thoughts, making conduct and influence show the change.Lt 193, 1897, par. 10–14+2 Their work bears fruit when God works through them and they rely on Him.RH Mar 24, 1903

The change comes through the cross and Calvary, for the Spirit does not merely invite but conducts the soul to look upon the uplifted Saviour, and when the sinner drawn by Christ humbles himself before the cross God gives a new heart and makes him a new creature, replacing shame with honor and leaving holiness with nothing more to require.Lt 48, 1895, par. 3–9+2 It is given when sinners consent to God's prescription to repent, believe and receive the righteousness of Christ as the atoning sacrifice, the balm for the leprosy of sin in preparation for the Lord's coming, with complete change of thoughts, old things passed away and all things new.Lt 144, 1893, par. 7 It is obtained by believing in the Son of man lifted up as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, trusting God's only begotten Son for eternal life, with the Spirit molding the heart daily and giving insight to discern the kingdom.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60 It comes also through partaking of God's word as eating Christ's flesh and drinking His blood, so that Christ lives in the heart by faith, the believer becomes God's temple, and the heart opened to heaven and sanctified by obedience represents Christ's righteousness.4MR 368.5

The promise means the helpless soul receives a new heart and spirit that transforms the character, for repentance alone cannot change the life apart from casting the soul upon Christ.Ms 2, 1903, par. 27 Inward cleansing by the Holy Spirit removes the stony heart, makes the receivers children of God, and prepares them to worship in spirit and truth.Lt 41, 1903, par. 10 The mind is renewed and made new in Christ, restoring the moral image in the soul, bringing submission to the divine will with trust and rest, overcoming evil traits, and fitting for a home with the saints in light.2MR 268.2–270.2 Strong natural traits of hardness, stubbornness, unbending will, firmness and determination are not killed or destroyed even in the hardest and most incorrigible, but are transformed and sanctified like leaven working in the heart until every action conforms to the will of God, making such persons most valuable for important positions of trust.Ms 8a, 1891, par. 21–24+1 With the new heart come the Spirit of Christ as Helper, love poured into the heart, the light of the Sun of Righteousness, walking in the light, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, so that instead of cutting off others in hardness and coldness the renewed seek, save and bring the lost to Christ.Ms 8a, 1891, par. 21–24+1 The heart is melted, changed and transformed by grace so that selfish and unseemly traits are subdued, holiness appears, and Christ lives in the life.Lt 61, 1897, par. 7–9

The renewed heart made right through the Holy Spirit makes the person new, and with truth controlling the heart in righteousness it becomes power unto salvation producing fruits of righteousness.Lt 196, 1907, par. 1–6 The indwelling of the Holy Spirit brings a sense of responsibility with desire to follow the Lord's way, do justice, and use life and possessions in His service.Lt 55, 1897, par. 40–42 The new heart acts on new strong principles, so that by believing and obeying the willing and obedient enter fellowship with Christ, share the glory He reveals, and follow step by step until complete in Him.ST Sep 13, 1899 Internal rectitude is what counts, for every person is tried by principles rather than profession, talk or appearance, and without a renewed heart one may appear good outwardly while full of impurity within, since out of the heart are the issues of life and the tree must be made good before good fruit appears.Lt 19a, 1875, par. 16–17 A clean heart must be created and a new moral taste given before anyone will walk in the statutes, keep the commandments to do them, and love to obey the law, through connection with heaven that forms partakers of the divine nature escaped from corruption through lust, shown by supreme love to God in obedience to all His commandments, implicit trust in Christ, and great principles of truth established in the heart and revealed in love, faith, humility and obedience with controlling power over the entire person.Lt 19a, 1875, par. 16–17 The changed heart and will overcome stubbornness into harmony with the divine will, bringing allegiance to the law, obedience to its precepts, and fruitfulness as a branch united to the True Vine, with earnest pursuit of truth, willing obedience, and consecration of parents and children.Ms 46, 1894, par. 11+1

The inward change of spirit is seen in a changed life and countenance, and when the Holy Spirit molds the heart of those who seek diligently, conduct and influence make the change evident.15MR 226.1–2+1 Those newly come to faith are entirely changed in spirit and bear witness, with the inward work showing outwardly in the countenance.Ms 59, 1895, par. 45–46 The tongue is changed so that instead of complaining, faultfinding and stirring disaffection, speech binds people together, proving profession genuine by love and faith purifying the heart and preparing for the latter rain and the kingdom.Ms 36, 1891, par. 23–26 When Bible truth is received into the life and the Spirit works on mind and heart, the life bears the right kind of fruit, and this heart-change is needed now.STB 347.2–3 True reform begins in the heart as the very seat of all difficulties, for circumstances cannot work reforms, and Christianity proposes reformation by what is worked within, which is then worked out under a converted intellect so that principles of righteousness issue from the heart and the reformation is outward as well as inward, since beginning outside to work inward has always failed and always will fail.STMW9 54.2

The gift is a true, deep and growing experience and a decided work by the Holy Spirit that no one can do for self, received by living faith that falls on the Rock and is broken as the only hope.Lt 47, 1891, par. 23–24 It calls for a higher deeper experience depending entirely on Jesus rather than self, impulses and judgment, lived out in doing the Word, learning meekness and humility of heart, purity, guileless speech, saying what is meant, and openness and truth toward brethren.Lt 47, 1891, par. 23–24 Those who surrender receive grace that changes them day by day, carrying them forward in growth and character formation until Christ appears, made possible through Christ's sufficiency during probationary time granted by His death, bringing glory to Christ.Lt 85, 1897, par. 9 Learning from Christ brings meekness and lowliness with conversion of heart and mind.Lt 198, 1901, par. 1–3 The promise means resignation to the divine will, perfect trust and repose, and meek humble submission where self no longer seeks supremacy, belonging even to unyielded church members and the most faulty and perverse on condition of learning Christ's meekness and lowliness, taking the impression of His precepts, following His example, and asking for strength and grace.Ms 38, 1895, par. 12–14 Inward renewal by Christ dwelling in the heart gives a new nature, frees from bondage, and brings growth in knowledge and true holiness.ST Jul 26, 1905

The sinner's request for a changed heart is answered with restoration to a pure holy condition, freeing from sin to live in righteousness, for salvation is from sin and not in sin.Ms 56, 1900, par. 8+1 The inward miracle of grace implants enmity against Satan, frees from stubborn self-will and delusion, leads the converted to love God and keep His commandments, and stands as evidence of the living Saviour's work and the gospel's divine origin as the Spirit makes the word a regenerating power.DA 407.1 The learner renewed inwardly by Christ's indwelling receives a new nature and freedom from bondage with growth in knowledge and true holiness.ST Jul 26, 1905 The leprosy of sin is cured in preparation for the Lord's coming through Christ's grace as atoning sacrifice and balm of Gilead, given when sinners consent to repent, believe and receive Christ's righteousness, producing complete change of thoughts with old things passed away and all things new and a new song on the lips.Lt 144, 1893, par. 7 Christ alone gives a new heart of love in place of the selfish heart of sin, and through submission to Him the gospel of grace eradicates selfishness as the root of injustice and hatred.COL 254.2

The creating and converting power at work within must begin in the workers' own hearts and flow out in fitting words that appeal to and hold souls.Lt 39, 1900, par. 13–15 This inward cleansing must come first in churches and institutions, enabling unity, fruit-bearing, and service without selfish ambition or betrayal of sacred trust.Ms 60, 1898, par. 50–54 Looking to Christ in faith opens the eyes and changes the hardened heart, and this daily renewal is especially needed by those in responsible positions so they may be sanctified and help others to be sanctified.SPBC 189.3 A stony heart can be softened by Christ's love revealed through personal ministry so the seed of truth can take root.GW 185.1 No one is to take up work for others such as a children's meeting until the own heart is changed and the mind made new, with the first work being for self alone by close heart-searching as with a lighted candle.Lt 102, 1895, par. 15–16 When Christ heals the soul the decisive change brings forgiveness, grace, identification with Him and His interests, and a return home as lights and witnesses of what has been done.CH 210.2

The heart of flesh is tender, kind, courteous, living and responsive, quick to feel the suffering and sorrows of others and moved to compassion and practical help for the hungry, the naked, the suffering and perishing in temporal and spiritual things, for widows, orphans, the poor, the infirm and the oppressed.ST Sep 19, 1895+3 It loves justice and does mercy rather than favoring self, standing against cold selfish indifference that hardens the heart and leaves people blind and unresponsive to need.ST Sep 19, 1895+2 The cold stony heart hardened by selfishness is exchanged for a heart warmed by the love of Jesus, with enlightened understanding and a broken and sanctified heart brought under control of the divine will.ST Sep 19, 1895 The fierce, wicked, Satanic spirit is cast out and the mercy and love of Christ possess and control the soul, cleansing the temple of the soul to become the habitation of the Spirit, so that believers act as faithful stewards trading upon the Lord's goods.ST Sep 19, 1895 A softened, compassionate heart shows itself in sympathy for people in distress and in effort to help them, in willingness to care for others, and this change is needed to be ready for the day of judgment.Ms 45, 1909, par. 3–4+1

Hearts of steel, iron and stone must be taken away and broken, for the iron heart pronounces severe judgment on a brother fallen under temptation, holds him off at arm's length in cold Pharisaism, dictates, controls and condemns, and by harsh dealing takes away his courage and hope and leaves him under Satan's control.RCOC 46.1+2 Those who direct God's work are to be wholly consecrated to Him and have hearts of flesh rather than hearts of steel, and all are to pray for hearts made tender and responsive to God with the melting love and tender sympathy of Christ.RCOC 46.1+2 The heart of flesh takes the erring in arms of faith to the sin-pardoning Saviour at the cross and labors with spiritual power to seek and restore him, erring on the side of mercy rather than condemnation.Lt 16, 1887, par. 7–14 God takes away hearts of steel and gives hearts of flesh by letting His melting Spirit come into the heart with His comforting power, bringing men to their senses to cherish and care for aged pioneers instead of setting them aside, to admit their own mistakes, and to know for themselves that they are Christ's in God.RH Apr 30, 1901 Hard-hearted conduct that treats people harshly does not represent God's justice, tenderness or love, and can alienate the oppressed from God and turn them against the truth, and ignoring Christ's righteousness by faith belongs with this harsh spirit.SPBC 181.5 A man with a quick temper and a harsh, overbearing, passionate spirit has not received this softened and subdued heart with its fine touch and delicate sensibility, and cannot be trusted to decide weighty questions affecting God's heritage or to shape and manage minds Christ purchased at infinite price, for he will hurt and bruise souls, misrepresent Christ, place a wrong mold upon the work, cause some to become exasperated until they give up the faith and imbue others with his own evil character, with the blood of souls upon his garments.Ms 14, 1896, par. 8–9 Lack of firm faith, discernment in sacred things, and this softened heart should debar any man from connection with God's work, and only those whose hearts show they are being sanctified through the truth should be retained in positions of trust.Ms 14, 1896, par. 8–9

God answers the daily prayer for a clean heart by giving a new heart and a new spirit, taking away the stony, hard, unimpressible heart and giving a responsive heart of flesh, and putting His Spirit within to cause walking in His statutes and keeping and doing His judgments.Lt 15, 1895, par. 27–30+1 This fulfills the command to love neighbor as self and produces continual kindness, not by fits and starts, with a decided change in attitude, deportment, words and actions toward all.Lt 15, 1895, par. 27–30+1 With the Spirit of Christ in the heart, climbing upon the judgment seat to condemn others ceases, mercy rejoices not in iniquity, infirmities are not magnified, others are not placed in an unfavorable light, and faults are not exposed and published.Lt 15, 1895, par. 27–30+1 Instead believers work in Christ's lines, manifesting Christ's love by patient efforts to heal and bind up and restore rather than expose those who fail.Lt 15, 1895, par. 27–30+1 A harsh-spirited, unrefined, coarse man has not a heart of flesh but a heart as impressible as stone, and his only help is to fall on the Rock and be broken and be tried in fire as gold until Christ's image is reflected in him.Lt 15, 1895, par. 27–30 The Holy Spirit doing its office work takes away hard stony hearts and gives tender hearts of flesh, meaning thorough conversion and restoration for those in positions of trust, making them sanctified and educated in the school of Christ to work in Christ's lines as physicians for the soul, with tenderness and love of God and quick discernment to know how to deal with sensitive human minds.Lt 71a, 1894, par. 11–14 They go to the erring to bind up, heal and restore with counsel instead of turning cold, censuring and condemning with harsh words that discourage and thrust them onto Satan's battleground, and those who are contrite are thus renewed to receive God's messengers and serve the church rather than hinder it.Lt 71a, 1894, par. 11–14+1

Those who truly accept Christ receive a new heart, and Christ's grace perfects their character and stamps them with God's image, joining them in harmony and brotherly love for sanctification by the same Spirit.STB 388.1+1 Though their languages or ways of expressing themselves may differ, they share the desire for sanctification by the same Spirit.STB 388.1 This inward cleansing must come first in churches and institutions, enabling believers to live and work in unity, bear fruit, and serve without selfish ambition or betrayal of sacred trust.Ms 60, 1898, par. 50–54 The change replaces self-centeredness with the mind of Christ, so that people recognize the Lord's wider work and do not treat their own field of labor or its resources as theirs alone.7T 240.1 Those who make territorial boundaries in Christ's work need this new heart to lead them to share a helpful spirit and use the Lord's resources wherever they are needed, rather than selfishly guarding them for their own interests.Ms 124, 1902, par. 17–20

The Holy Spirit changes people inwardly so that hearts of stone, hard and resistant, become hearts of flesh receptive and responsive to God's truth.CH 532.2+2 This change keeps Satan from working through them to oppose Christ's work.CH 532.2+3 God's Spirit softens the hard heart, working within people, converting them, filling them with joy, and transforming them into channels of blessing.ST Sep 27, 1899 Through partaking of God's word — described as eating Christ's flesh and drinking His blood — Christians receive an experience like God's, and when Christ lives in the heart by faith the Christian is God's temple.4MR 368.5 Hearts made open to Heaven's influence and sanctified by obedience to the truth represent Christ's righteousness, as Bible truth enters lives, converting and reforming them and preparing them for the home Christ has promised to those who love Him.CH 544.2+1

Even just and honorable people must experience the new birth, for rigid precision in obeying the letter of the law entitles no one to heaven and no one can see, discern, or enter the kingdom of God without inward cleansing from natural defilement and sin.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60+2 The promise was held up to Nicodemus to teach this, and it changed him, converting his heart and life when he believed in the Son of man lifted up as Moses lifted the serpent and trusted in God's only begotten Son for eternal life.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60+2 Saul shows the same need, for when confronted by Christ he gained spiritual understanding, recognized his sin, sought pardon, found the sin-pardoning Saviour, and prized Christ and His righteousness above all else.Ms 46, 1899, par. 4–6 The new heart so given is a new mind with new purposes and new springs of action, wrought by the Spirit of God purifying the life, ennobling the character, turning sadness to joy, and fitting the person for heaven through practical acceptance of truth, repentance, humiliation, and submission.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60+1

The same promise is spoken directly to rulers in Israel today, to presidents of conferences, elders of churches, those holding official positions in institutions, and every counselor dealing with souls, who must experience this regeneration before accepting leadership in sacred work.Lt 55, 1895, par. 56–60+1 Daily renewal is especially needed by those in responsible positions, so that looking to Christ in faith opens the eyes, changes the hardened heart, sanctifies them, and enables them to help others be sanctified.SPBC 189.3 A heart of flesh softened and subdued by the Spirit, with the fine touch and delicate sensibility imparted by the grace of Christ, is essential for such trust, giving tenderness, love, and quick discernment for sensitive minds.SPBC 181.5+1 A man with a quick temper and a harsh, overbearing, passionate spirit has not received this change and cannot be trusted to decide weighty questions affecting God's heritage or to shape minds purchased at infinite price, for he will hurt and bruise souls, misrepresent Christ, place a wrong mold upon the work, cause some to become exasperated until they give up the faith, imbue others with his own evil character, and have the blood of souls upon his garments.Ms 14, 1896, par. 8–9 Lack of firm faith, discernment in sacred things, and this softened heart should debar any man from connection with God's work, and only those whose hearts show they are being sanctified through the truth should be retained in positions of trust; hard-hearted conduct that treats people harshly does not represent God's justice, tenderness, or love, and can alienate the oppressed from God and turn them against the truth.SPBC 181.5+1 Ministers, physicians, and all in positions of trust and official responsibility are included in this call, and the miracle of conversion that God Himself works is seen when even those no minister or member could change are melted.Lt 48, 1895, par. 3–9+1

Fathers and mothers need this cleansing and converting power so their lives are cleansed from all filthiness and idols and transformed in character, for without it the Holy Spirit cannot accomplish its work upon hearts.RH Jul 15, 1902 Parents whose anger, harshness, neglect, or overindulgence harms their children must repent, that God may remove the hard, stony heart, give a responsive, tender heart and a new spirit, refine them and make them fit for Christ's indwelling, put His Spirit within them to cause walking in His statutes and keeping and doing His judgments, and bring a changed spirit into the home.RH Jul 15, 1902+2 Children themselves need Christ's help to receive a new heart, with changed tastes and new motives inspired, learning God's character through His word, and when the heart is softened and subdued by the Holy Spirit and made humble rather than self-righteous and Pharisaical, a person can help lead children to Christ.ST Sep 23, 1886+1 This inward change is connected with earnest pursuit of truth, willing obedience to God's law, and the consecration of parents and children to God.Lt 297, 1905, par. 9

Teachers and pupils in schools need the change to reach a higher standard, for conversion gives a new heart and new life that restores God's image in the soul, and teachers are to work in harmony with that purpose.Ms 8a, 1891, par. 21–24+2 The test for teachers who work for time and eternity with precious souls is whether old traits of character not in conformity to the will of God have passed away under Christ's constraining discipline, with love controlling heart and soul and all things become new.Ms 34, 1893, par. 17–18+1 Strong natural traits such as firmness, determination, hardness, stubbornness, and unbending will are not killed even in the hardest and most incorrigible, but are transformed and sanctified as leaven working in the heart until every action conforms to the will of God, making such persons most valuable for important positions of trust.Ms 8a, 1891, par. 21–24+1 With the new heart come the Spirit of Christ as the true Helper, love poured into the heart, the light of the Sun of Righteousness, walking in the light, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, enabling seeking and saving the lost instead of cutting them off in hardness and coldness.Ms 8a, 1891, par. 21–24 This inward change should be evident in a teacher's words and patient, loving treatment of children, sowing good seed in young hearts and seeking God's help for its growth.FE 262.3–264.1

Churches and institutions need a deep moving of the Spirit in individual members, with thorough conversion, restoration, and preparation for the latter rain and for life in God's kingdom, shown in a tongue that no longer complains, faultfinds, and stirs up disaffection but speaks words that bind together, with love and faith purifying the heart.Ms 36, 1891, par. 23–26+1 The gift means more than mere forgiveness of sin, for Christ's infinite sacrifice removes sin and restores, rebeautifies, and reconstructs ruined human nature to make it fit for the presence of God.Lt 53, 1887, par. 11+1 The call is urgent because God's Spirit is being withdrawn from the world, Satan is actively working on hearts and on churches and nations, the end is near, and those with great light and opportunities who do not improve them grieve away God's Spirit and will be left first.Lt 53, 1887, par. 11+1 Hearts hardened by neglect and indifference need this renewal, God pours out His Spirit on those who take up their work, and when sinners consent to repent, believe, and receive Christ's righteousness as God's prescription, with the grace of Christ as the balm of Gilead curing the leprosy of sin in preparation for the Lord's coming, old things pass away, all things become new, and a new song is placed on the lips.Lt 144, 1893, par. 7+1

The promise belongs to the weak, sinful, ignorant, and unworthy who come as they are and seek the truth, to the tempted, to children needing new tastes and motives, and to the faulty and perverse, cleansing the heart from the evil of pride so that the person reveals God's wisdom rather than the world's wisdom.Lt 52, 1901, par. 1+2 It answers the longing to inherit eternal life by giving a new heart that begins a new life inspired by Christ, awakens new thoughts through the power of truth, and becomes the life of God in the soul as truth takes hold of the heart and forms the character in Christ's likeness.Ms 186, 1901, par. 1–2+1 It applies to fault-finding, tithe-withholding members who criticize ministers and messages and hear preaching on purity, piety, and holiness without applying truth to themselves because the word is not mixed with faith in them.Lt 48, 1895, par. 3–9 When the hard heart is melted by the Holy Spirit through plain testimony, earnest prayer, and a call to come out wholly on the Lord's side, the person receives the testimony, makes thorough confession to God and to the church, comes into harmony with brethren and the work of God, pays tithe faithfully including what is owed, and shows a marked change in the atmosphere surrounding the soul and in home life as a new man.Lt 48, 1895, par. 3–9 This renewal is the work needed now in every place, including Australia and America, where all who lack it must be sought and taught until the Holy Spirit working on heart and mind brings forth right fruit in the life.MWISDAP 4.3