Hidden Agendas, Demands of the Heart that Stop Us Loving God and Others

This book lifts the lid on the human heart, seeking to uncover the hidden agendas that stop us from loving God and others as we should. Our hearts have a selfish list of priorities that we believe are important and need to be given attention. But often these heart agendas are in tension with God’s agenda. David Smith uses four biblical pictures to help us consider these agendas that are often hidden so deep within our hearts that we are unaware of them. Using examples from the Bible, he uncovers the desire to be significant; the desire to have certainty; the desire to have peace, safety, and security; and the desire for our own fulfilment. Each of these four chapters begins with a story from the Bible, an explanation of the heart agenda exposed in the story, the underlying heart fear, the heart demand, and the heart problem. It then goes on to show God’s heart agenda in that situation and concludes with a summary and questions for reflection. The final two chapters show the servant heartedness that is central to the Kingdom of God, and the way we can honestly assess our own hearts. David helpfully finishes the book with guidance on how we can journey towards the heart agendas God wants us to have.

Publisher: Christian Focus
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781527108363

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David Smith is International Director for IBCM Network and Academic Dean for Australian College of Christian Studies. He is the author of ‘The Model Church’ and lives in Perth, Western Australia.

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Like an annual physical exam, it is good to get a spiritual heart check now and again. Hidden Agendas does that by helping us see things that get in the way of our walk with God and then prescribing ways to renew our heart trust in God. The result is a healthier walk with God. So read and grow. Darrell Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas