Something momentous in prophecy will be taken place this October. The reformation as we know it through the great reformers, led by Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses, will be all but obliterated by the Lutheran Church joining with Rome. This is a great landmark in prophecy, which brings us closer to the fulfillment of Revelation 13:3 that all the world will wonder after the beast. The purpose of the Protestant Reformation was separation from the beast power and to be cleansed from the defilement of Rome.

As we watch the movements of the beast power of Rome, let us not be distracted from another beast power– the beast within our own hearts. We want to keep the Reformation alive from this beast as well.

Sometimes Satan can have us so absorbed in the things without that we can lose sight of the things within. The Spirit of Prophecy declares that the problem with the scribes and Pharisees is that they magnified things small and belittled things great. Let me tell you my friends, the beast without is very small compared to the beast within.

For this reason, we need a thorough personal reformation. The word “reform” means to make a change. We can all agree that we need a change of heart.

Why? He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool – Proverbs 28:26

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?– Jeremiah 17:9

This is why we need heart reform and this is where all true reformations must begin.

Circumstances cannot work reforms. Christianity proposes a reformation in the heart. What Christ works within, will be worked out under the dictation of a converted intellect. The plan of beginning outside and trying to work inward has always failed, and always will fail. God’s plan with you is to begin at the very seat of all difficulties, the heart, and then from out of the heart will issue the principles of righteousness; the reformation will be outward as well as inward. {CD 35.3}

That’s why God is saying to us,

My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.— Proverbs 23:26

…rend your heart, and not your garments.— Joel 2:13

Why is there such a great emphasis on the heart?

If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right. {AG 318.2

Everything that we do must come from a pure heart. This is why we must ask God to purify our hearts because it is possible to do right things but not with a perfect heart. (See 2 Chronicles 25:1-2) Praise God we have a wonderful helper!

All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us. {DA 668.3}

This is a wonderful promise we can all claim. Christ can come into our hearts in such a mighty way that we can impulsively follow Him without much thought. It becomes instinctive and natural for us.

Now when the Bible speaks of the heart it is really referring to the mind. See Proverbs 23:7

That is why Paul said in Romans 12:1-2 that we need our minds to be renewed and he also stated in 1 Corinthians 10:5 that we need to bring every thought into captivity to Christ. Now if we bring every thought into captivity to Christ that means Christ has given us victory over sin. We praise God that He can control our thoughts that we can overcome sin entirely.

Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foothold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of Himself: “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” John 14:30. Satan could find nothing in the Son of God that would enable him to gain the victory. He had kept His Father’s commandments, and there was no sin in Him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble. {GC 623.1}

Now let us look at some practical things that can be done daily to cleanse our hearts.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. — Psalm 119:11

We can get the Word of God into our hearts and it will give us daily victories. I have countless experiences where I was in great trials and temptations and the Lord brought a scripture to my mind that I have studied and committed to memory. He will do the same for you. Satan also knows that when this is not done you are defeated.

Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind. {GC 519.2}

God has given us a simple solution to overcome Satan’s attack.

In the great conflict before us, he who would keep true to Christ must penetrate deeper than the opinions and doctrines of men…Guard jealously your hours for (1)prayer, (2)Bible study, and (3)self-examination. Set aside a portion of each day for a study of the Scriptures and communion with God. Thus you will obtain spiritual strength, and will grow in favor with God. {GW 100.1}

My prayer is as we are nearing the fall of the so-called “Protestant Reformation” that we are on the rise of personal reformation.