An individual, if renewed and led by the Holy Spirit, will be aware of new spiritual experiences and desires, and also of the Holy Spirit's work of restoring character. These things provide evidence of the grace of God at work in the life of a believer.
Inward experiences of the renewed heart
Assurance
1 John 3:19–21 See also Psalm 112:7–8; Romans 8:14–16; Ephesians 1:18–19; 1 John 5:10
And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,
Love for God's word
Romans 7:22 See also Deuteronomy 4:9; Psalm 37:31, Psalm 119:11, Psalm 119:30, Psalm 119:111; Proverbs 6:21; Jeremiah 15:16, Jeremiah 31:33
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.
Desire for holiness
Matthew 5:8 See also 2 Chronicles 17:6; Psalm 19:14, Psalm 24:3–4, Psalm 73:1; Proverbs 7:25; Ecclesiastes 10:2; Colossians 3:1–2; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 3:15DEU 1 Peter 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Desire to seek God
1 Kings 8:38–39 See also Psalm 119:10, Psalm 119:58, Psalm 119:145
then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make— each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart — for You alone know the hearts of all men —
Encouragement
Psalm 27:14 See also 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 73:26; Jeremiah 51:46JHN Jeremiah 14:1, John 14:27; Colossians 3:15 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 2:2, Colossians 4:8; Philemon 1:20; Hebrews 12:3, Hebrews 12:5, Hebrews 13:9
Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!
Joy
Psalm 105:3 parallel 1 Chronicles 16:10 See also 1 Kings 8:66 parallel 2 Chronicles 7:10; Psalm 4:7, Psalm 16:9; Isaiah 65:14; Zephaniah 3:14; Luke 24:32; Acts 2:46–47
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Desire for the salvation of others
Romans 9:1–3 See also Romans 10:1
I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,
Various kinds of distress
Psalm 143:4 See also Psalm 38:8, Psalm 69:20; Jeremiah 4:19, Jeremiah 8:18–19, Jeremiah 23:9; Lamentations 1:20, Lamentations 2:11ACT Lamentations 21:13; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Philippians 3:18
My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.
Love for the church
1 Peter 1:22 See also Zechariah 7:10; John 13:14–15; Acts 4:32; 2 Corinthians 6:11–13, 2 Corinthians 7:2–3; Philippians 1:7–9; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 John 3:11–18
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
The renewed heart and the restoration of character
Sincerity and integrity towards God and other people
Psalm 86:11 See also 1 Kings 3:6, 1 Kings 9:4; Job 33:3; Psalm 15:2, Psalm 78:72; Matthew 18:35; 2 Corinthians 5:12; Ephesians 6:5–6; Colossians 3:22–23; James 4:8
Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.
Humility
Psalm 131:1 See also Deuteronomy 8:14; 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Chronicles 32:25–26; Matthew 5:3; Philippians 2:3–5
A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.
Wisdom
Proverbs 2:10 See also Job 38:36; Psalm 90:12; Proverbs 2:2, Proverbs 3:1, Proverbs 3:3, Proverbs 23:15
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul.
The possibility of the renewed heart becoming faithless
The importance of self-examination before God
Psalm 139:23–24 See also Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 13:3; Judges 5:15–16; 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 2 Chronicles 32:31; Psalm 7:9, Psalm 26:2; Proverbs 17:3; Jeremiah 20:12; Acts 1:24
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.
Backsliding
Hosea 5:4 See also 1 Kings 11:4, 1 Kings 11:9; Psalm 78:8, Psalm 78:37; Isaiah 29:13, Isaiah 57:11; Jeremiah 12:2; Hosea 10:2; Malachi 2:2; Acts 5:3
Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of prostitution is within them, and they do not know the LORD.
Restoration after backsliding
Joel 2:12–13 See also Deuteronomy 4:29, Deuteronomy 30:2–3; Joshua 24:23; 1 Kings 8:46–51; Psalm 51:10; Isaiah 57:15; Jeremiah 3:17
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.