Transforming Our Affections: A Heart Aligned with Christ

Dec 22

What Do You Love Most?

Have you ever stopped to consider what drives your decisions, your desires, or even your daydreams? What do you love most deeply? These loves—or affections—are at the center of who we are. They shape our thoughts, influence our actions, and ultimately reveal the state of our hearts.

The Bible often speaks of affections as central to our relationship with God. In Colossians 3:2, Paul exhorts believers: “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (KJV). This is more than a call to think about heaven—it’s an invitation to align our desires and loyalties with Christ. But how does this transformation happen, and what does it look like in the framework of the exchanged life, where Christ lives in and through us?

Let’s explore how affections fit into the makeup of man—soul, spirit, body, and heart—and how they are transformed as we yield to Christ.

1. The Heart: The Control Center of Affections

In Scripture, the heart is often described as the core of our being, the place where thoughts, emotions, and will converge. It’s not just a physical organ; it’s the spiritual and moral center of a person.

Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
The heart determines the course of our lives. Our affections—what we treasure, love, and prioritize—spring from the heart.
Luke 6:45: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil.”
What we store in our hearts directly impacts our words and actions. If Christ is the treasure of our hearts, godly affections will flow naturally.

In the exchanged life, the heart becomes the throne from which Christ reigns. As we surrender to Him, our affections are reshaped to reflect His desires.

2. Affections in the Soul: Mind, Will, and Emotions

The soul—comprising the mind, will, and emotions—plays a significant role in shaping our affections. Each part contributes to how we set our hearts on Christ or, conversely, on lesser things.

A. The Mind: Renewing What We Think

Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Our affections are shaped by what we think about. When we meditate on God’s Word, it renews our minds, directing our desires toward Him.
Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure… think about such things.”
What we dwell on fuels our affections. Fixing our thoughts on Christ aligns our desires with His purposes.

B. The Will: Choosing What We Follow

Joshua 24:15: “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
Affections influence choices, but choices also solidify affections. When we choose to follow Christ daily, we cultivate a heart that loves Him more deeply.
John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commands.”
Obedience flows naturally from affections set on Christ. When we love Him, His commands become a delight, not a burden.

C. The Emotions: Aligning What We Feel

Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
True joy comes when our emotions are rooted in God. As we delight in Him, our affections are transformed to desire what He desires.

3. Affections in the Spirit: The Work of the Holy Spirit

The spirit is the part of us that connects directly to God. When we are born again, our spirit is made alive in Christ, and the Holy Spirit begins His transforming work.

Romans 5:5: “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”
The Spirit fills our hearts with God’s love, reorienting our affections away from self and toward Him.
Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more—are expressions of Christlike affections. These aren’t qualities we manufacture; they flow naturally as we yield to the Spirit.

The Spirit works to align our affections with God’s purposes, helping us to love what He loves and turn away from what distracts us from Him.

4. Affections in the Body: Living Out What We Love

While affections originate in the heart and are shaped by the soul and spirit, they are expressed through our bodies—what we do, how we speak, and how we spend our time.

Romans 12:1: “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”
Our physical actions reflect the state of our affections. When Christ reigns in our hearts, we offer our bodies in service to Him, using our time, energy, and talents for His glory.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
A life surrendered to Christ shows godly affections in practical ways—how we treat others, care for ourselves, and worship God.

5. How the Exchanged Life Transforms Affections

In the exchanged life, affections are not something we “fix” on our own. They are transformed as we surrender to Christ and allow Him to live His life in us and through us.

From Self to Christ: As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” This isn’t about suppressing desires but allowing Christ’s desires to flow through us.
Daily Surrender: Each day, we have the choice to walk by the Spirit or rely on ourselves. Choosing Christ not only daily, but moment by moment, reorients our affections to align with His will.

Conclusion: Aligning Our Affections with Christ

What we love shapes who we are. In the exchanged life, the Holy Spirit transforms our affections, turning our hearts away from earthly distractions and toward heavenly treasures. This isn’t a one-time event but a daily journey of surrender, as Christ renews our minds, aligns our will, and fills our hearts with His love.

When Christ reigns in our hearts, our affections reflect His character. We begin to love what He loves, delight in His ways, and walk in obedience—not out of duty, but out of joy.

Closing Prayer of Praise

Lord Jesus, You are the treasure of our hearts. Thank You for calling us to a life of surrender, where You transform our affections to align with Your love and purposes. We praise You for renewing our minds, shaping our desires, and leading us to delight in Your will. May our lives reflect Your glory, as our affections are set on things above. Amen.

Believing Thomas