What is an honest and good heart?
Luke 8:15 "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."
According to Jesus in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4 and Luke 8), there are 4 types of ground whereby the hearts of every man and woman may be represented:
the way side heart;
the stony ground heart;
the ground (heart) full of thorns;
the good ground heart.
Of all the types of hearts, only the good ground heart is capable of bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. According to Luke 8:15, the good ground heart is an honest and good heart, but what is exactly an honest and good heart?
Isaiah 66:2 "For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."
A man of a contrite spirit is someone who will tremble at the words of the LORD. He is also one with an honest and good heart. In fact, that is what that happens when a grain of seed falls upon good soil. The soil will tremble a little at the gentle impact of the seed, and the seed will settle in. It is a reaction of the heart to the word of God.
Psalms 24:3-5 "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
An honest and good heart is a pure heart. It is a heart which neither lift up herself unto vanity, nor unto vain words. It is a heart which pines for the truth, and hates deceit.
Matthew 5:33-34 "¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:"
The word "forswear" means to swear falsely. The children of Israel have sworn falsely because no man could keep the law. The outer man will sin but an honest and good heart knows it, and will admit it unto God.
Job 33:27-28 "He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light."
Luke 15:21-24 "And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."
Only men and women with such kind of heart will tremble at the truth, and they shall receive the fear of the LORD.