Circumcision of the Heart: 10 Ways to Be Transformed
Deuteronomy 10:16 reads, “So circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck any longer” (NASB). Circumcision of the heart is a repeated theme throughout Scripture. Today, we’ll explore its meaning and look at 10 ways to surrender to God for this transformation.
Defining Circumcision of the Heart
Circumcision of the heart is a metaphor for the removal of pride, disobedience, and spiritual resistance. It is an act that can only happen through the work of the Holy Spirit and includes repentance, humility, and faith. Rather than ritual obedience, devotion is motivated by sincere love for God.
In the New Testament, this circumcision of the heart is linked to the inward transformation happens when a person decides to follow Jesus.
As we look at this idea today, we’ll focus on removing what dulls or hardens our hearts, blocking responsiveness to God.
Here are 10 practical ways to surrender to God’s transformation in this process.
10 Practical Ways to Experience Circumcision of the Heart
1. Circumcision of the Heart Through Immediate Obedience
I’ve written about this in the past, but it bears repeating: Delayed obedience is disobedience.
God transforms our hearts as we learn to obey him immediately and specifically.
2. Circumcision of the Heart Through Regular Confession
King David asked God to search his heart and reveal anything offensive (Psalm 139). This is a powerful way to pray.
God wants to reveal unchecked patterns of sin and disobedience because he wants to heal us and help us experiencing his freedom.
We surrender to God’s transforming power by regularly asking God to search us and reveal unconfessed sins. This can be a good practice before falling asleep in bed, or first thing in the morning before a new day begins.
3. Circumcision of the Heart Through Forgiveness
Holding onto the ways other people have offended us leads to hard hearts.
Scripture directly teaches that if we draw near to God for forgiveness but have not forgiven other people, God won’t forgive us.
Bitterness creates hard hearts. Forgiving those who have hurt us softens our hearts, making us look more like Jesus. In the process, we become more receptive to God.
Forgiving those who have hurt us softens our hearts, making us look more like Jesus. In the process, we become more receptive to God. #forgiveness #faith #trust Share on X4. Circumcision of the Heart Through Reflection
Deuteronomy frequently repeats the word “remember.”
God calls his children to remember his past faithfulness. This kind of remembering gives us confidence in God’s faithfulness moving forward. Reflecting with gratitude builds trust and deepens our relationship with him.
A circumcised heart is a heart that trusts God even when life doesn’t make sense.
5. Circumcision of the Heart Through Fasting
When we fast, we abstain from behaviors that typically bring comfort or nourishment. We might fast from food, entertainment, social media, or anything that brings enjoyment.
During these times, we turn our attention toward the Lord. We allow our longings to surface, and we turn to God to meet those longings instead of turning to worldly comforts.
This process stirs our love for God and purifies us.
6. Circumcision of the Heart Through Surrendering the Desire for Control
We all hold tightly to things that matter to us.
We try to control our loved ones, finances, images, and plans.
Meanwhile, God has a better invitation. He invites us to release the desire for control and surrender to him.
Where are you gripping lately?
7. Circumcision of the Heart Through Serving Others Quietly
When we serve people in quiet, humble ways, God changes our hearts to look more like his heart.
For many, parenthood is a long, slow process of heart circumcision. We quietly care for our children, sacrificing sleep, energy, meals, and personal freedom as we care for our young ones.
Any time we serve others, including cantankerous coworkers, elderly relatives, and other people who cannot repay us, our hearts emerge looking more like Christ.
8. Circumcision of the Heart Through Guarding Our Hearts and Minds
The heart is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). For this reason, we need to guard what enters our hearts and minds.
Every time we ignore the subtle conviction of the Holy Spirit by watching, reading, looking at, or engaging in something that dishonors God, our hearts grow hard.
We remain sensitive to the Spirit by listening to his whispers and carefully guarding our minds.
9. Circumcision of the Heart Through Prayer
God wants us to turn to him and ask for soft hearts. He will answer these prayers.
Spend time talking about God to everything. Talk to him about the small problems of your days as well as the big ones. Thank him when he blesses you with everyday gifts and acts of kindness.
As you commune with God, he will shape your heart to look more like his heart.
10. Circumcision of the Heart Through the Renewing of Our Minds
God’s Word is his primary vessel for renewing our minds.
When we spend time reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word, he uses Scripture to change our hearts and minds. We begin to see our lives through his eyes, his lens. We are transformed.
Let’s conclude by praying for God to shape our hearts, molding them to look more like his heart.
“Lord, thank you that you love me too much to leave me in brokenness. Please remove anything that is dulling or interfering with my love for you. Cut away pride, bitterness, unforgiveness, and selfishness. Make my heart look more like your heart and give me your compassion for others.”
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If this post blessed you, or if you’d like to help a child in your life grow closer to God, I invite you to explore our family devotionals below. Also, scroll to the bottom of the post for a free devotional eBook to begin growing closer to God today. You’ll find an entire library of free eBooks and devotionals.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Grow in Faith
Lastly, if this post about accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior blessed you, I have a gift for you today: my free 31-day devotional Mornings With Jesus. Mornings With Jesus is not your average daily devotional—it is so much more! This devotional is unique because, in addition to daily readings and reflection questions, it also offers a special section at the end of each post called “Your Invitation to Encounter God and Begin Well.” These exercises will help you actually encounter the Living God during your quiet time. Instead of asking $9.99, I’m offering this devotional for free with promo code JESUS for a limited time right here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
