Definition:
The term "single-hearted" refers to a state of being characterized by sincerity, purity of intention, and unwavering devotion to God. It implies a focused and undivided heart, fully committed to the will and purposes of God, without distraction or duplicity.

Biblical Context:
The concept of being single-hearted is deeply rooted in the biblical call for believers to love and serve God with all their heart, soul, and strength. This idea is closely related to the biblical themes of integrity, faithfulness, and wholehearted devotion.

Key Scriptures:

1. Matthew 6:22-23 :
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your vision is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your vision is poor, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"
· In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the importance of having a clear, single-hearted focus. A "clear" or "healthy" eye symbolizes a pure and undivided heart, leading to a life filled with light and righteousness.

2. James 1:8 :
"He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
· The contrast to single-heartedness is double-mindedness, which results in instability and inconsistency. A single-hearted person is steadfast and reliable, fully committed to God's truth.

3. Psalm 86:11 :
"Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name."
· The psalmist's prayer for an "undivided heart" reflects the desire for single-hearted devotion, seeking to walk in God's truth and reverence His name without distraction.

Theological Significance:
Single-heartedness is a vital aspect of Christian discipleship. It involves a complete and exclusive allegiance to God, rejecting any form of idolatry or divided loyalty. This quality is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, as it aligns the believer's desires and actions with God's will.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate single-heartedness by:

· Prioritizing God's Kingdom: As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 , "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." A single-hearted focus on God's kingdom ensures that other aspects of life fall into their proper place.

· Guarding the Heart: Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." Maintaining a pure heart requires vigilance against influences that could lead to divided loyalties.

· Consistent Prayer and Study: Engaging regularly in prayer and the study of Scripture helps believers align their hearts with God's purposes, fostering a single-hearted devotion.

Examples in Scripture:

· David: Known as a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), David exemplified single-hearted devotion despite his failures. His psalms often express a deep longing for God's presence and guidance.

· Paul: The Apostle Paul demonstrated single-hearted commitment to Christ, declaring in Philippians 3:13-14 , "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."

Conclusion:
The call to be single-hearted is a call to live a life of integrity and devotion, fully committed to God and His purposes. It is a pursuit that requires intentionality and grace, as believers seek to reflect the character of Christ in all aspects of their lives.(a.) Having an honest heart; free from duplicity.

Called to Reach a Higher Standard
... In the epistle to the Hebrews is pointed out the single-hearted purpose that should ...
It was this singlehearted purpose to win the race for eternal life that ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 30 called to reach.htm

Allusion to Prince Le Boo
... at conforming, in all proper things, to the habits and customs of those to whose
hospitality he was intrusted; his warm and single-hearted affection for such ...
/.../murray/kalli the esquimaux christian /allusion to prince le boo.htm

Acts xi. 19
... and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord."
(v.23, 24.) He was a very kind man, and single-hearted, and considerate ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv acts xi 19.htm

Of Seeking Peace of Mind and of Spiritual Progress
... or rare heed to the self within? Blessed are the single-hearted, for they
shall have abundance of peace. 2. How came it to pass ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xi of seeking peace.htm

To this is Added Another Form of Temptation More Manifoldly ...
... From Thee, O Lord my God, to whom I owe humble and single-hearted service, by what
artifices and suggestions doth the enemy deal with me to desire some sign! ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxxv to this is.htm

May 25. "That I May Know Him" (Phil. Iii. 10).
... That is the secret above all others that God wants us to have; it is His provision
for glory and power, and it is given freely to the single-hearted seeker. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days of heaven upon earth /may 25 that i may.htm

Another Kind of Temptation is Curiosity, which is Stimulated by ...
... O Lord my God, to whom I owe all humble and single-hearted service, with what subtlety
of suggestion does the enemy influence me to require some sign from Thee ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxxv another kind of temptation.htm

The Blessed Hope and Its Power
... and strengthening your mutual cohesion (summimetai) by so doing (an appeal prompted
not by egotism or self-confidence, but by single-hearted certainty about my ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter x the blessed hope.htm

Inward Witness to the Truth of the Gospel.
... Now how comes this to pass? It happens in several ways. 1. Consider the Bible
tells us to be meek, humble, single-hearted, and teachable. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon viii inward witness to.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and ...
... A serious single-hearted dealing with him upon the grounds of the covenant promises
and his relations and engagements, might prove steadable in this case, if ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvi how to make.htm

Single-hearted (2 Occurrences)
Single-hearted. Singled, Single-hearted. Single-heartedness . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... Multi-Version Concordance Single-hearted (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/single-hearted.htm - 7k

Martha (12 Occurrences)
... orders of human character. One was absorbed, preoccupied, abstracted; the
other was concentrated and single-hearted. Her own world ...
/m/martha.htm - 16k

Single-heartedness (2 Occurrences)
Single-heartedness. Single-hearted, Single-heartedness. Singleness .
Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEY). Single-hearted, Single-heartedness. Singleness . ...
/s/single-heartedness.htm - 7k

Singled (1 Occurrence)

/s/singled.htm - 6k

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... 5:14). The tribe sent 50,000 single-hearted warriors, capable and well equipped,
to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:33). From their ...
/z/zebulun.htm - 29k

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