Is Your Heart Circumcised?

When we think of circumcision, we often think of the physical procedure, but did you know that to truly please God, you must undergo a heart circumcision?  

In the Old Testament, circumcision marked the Jewish people as God’s chosen people and the covenant established with Abraham. Before Isaac was born, God directed Abraham to circumcise all the males of his house, including himself, Ishmael, and his servants (Gen. 17:1-14). This was a tradition that repeated throughout the generations. So much value was held in this external rite that many Jews had the misconception that it was the mark of salvation, but Paul says that Abraham wasn’t justified because he was circumcised. God justified Abraham because he had faith (Romans 4:9-12).

To me, this is so powerful because sometimes, we place so much emphasis on external traditions to the point that we can turn people away from Christianity. We tell them how to look, how to dress, and what rules they need to follow, but 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Righteousness doesn’t go from external to internal. It starts in the heart. Once our hearts are changed, then any external signs are to promote and provide evidence of the internal change, i.e., the fruit we bear.

For me, a tradition that I had to ask God about was my clothing. I know that many churches, depending on the denomination, expect women to always wear skirts or dresses, but that’s never been something I have done exclusively, nor have I found that requirement in the Bible. I recently asked God to give me confirmation either way because I want to please Him and to do his will. He gave me the confirmation that I needed not only through the scripture in 1 Samuel, but through one of my Pastor’s sermons that same week.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s perfectly fine to wear dresses exclusively, but it’s also perfectly fine to choose not to, as long as we are dressing modestly. We can’t get so wrapped up in the external that we put our faith in that instead of Jesus, or hold on so tightly to tradition that we judge others and turn them away.

God has always wanted more from His people than just external conformity to a set of rules. He wants us to possess a heart to love, know, and follow Him. No one becomes a Christian through good works or participating in religious ceremonies. People become a Christian by placing faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18, 36; Ephesians 2:8-9).

True circumcision happens when we surrender ourselves fully to God and allow him to change our hearts. As Paul said, true circumcision is a matter of the heart, performed by the spirit of God.