A heart that is not willing will find almost any excuse to not do something good, selfless, or godly. The willing heart is about softening ourselves toward God and other people. (John 10:27)
What we do and say comes out of our hearts. (See Luke 6:45) God tells us what He thinks through the Holy Bible. The writer of Hebrews 3 tells us to not harden our hearts when we hear God. Our willingness to believe and obey what God has written shapes us. (See Romans 15:4, Hebrews 4:12) Through Solomon He tells us to guard our hearts. (Proverbs 4:23)
Our fellowship with God and spiritual growth are directly related to the willingness of our hearts. (Jeremiah 29:13, Deuteronomy 4:29) Our hearts are bent toward evil, contrary to God's character, but God knows us and directs us. (Jeremiah 17:9-10, Genesis 4:7)
Jesus addressed the heart in telling people to love God wholeheartedly and to seek first the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33, 22:37, Mark 12:30) Loving God and other people is a choice.
God gave Moses specific instructions for building the Tabernacle. The resources and skills for construction came from willing-hearted people. They set an example for us. (Exodus 35:21-29) David and his people demonstrated willing hearts in making donations toward building the first Temple. The people responded with rejoicing, willing hearts, and worship. (1 Chronicles 29:9)
The contrast between following the desires of the flesh and the desires of God's Spirit are shown by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:5-6 and Galatians 6:7-10. He directs the Church to set our affections on things above. (Colossians 3)
The willingness of the heart is where we submit to God's ways and allow His Spirit to govern our thoughts, attitudes, and actions for our fullness of joy. (Gal. 5:16-26, 2 Pet. 1:3-11, John 15:1-8)
How is your heart? Is it willing?