--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the heart be chiefly and directly…" description: "\"If the heart be chiefly and directly fixed on God, and the soul engaged to glorify him, some degree of religious affection will be the effect and atten..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/jonathan-edwards-770_admire_if-the-heart-be-chiefly-and-directly-fix_2400605.png" --- # If the heart be chiefly and directly fixed on God, and the… ![“If the heart be chiefly and directly fixed on God, and the soul engaged to glorify him, some degree of religious affection will be the effect and attendant of it. But to seek after affection directly and chiefly; to have the heart principally set upon that; is to place it in the room of God and…” quote by Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/jonathan-edwards-770_admire_if-the-heart-be-chiefly-and-directly-fix_2400605.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/jonathan-edwards-770_admire_if-the-heart-be-chiefly-and-directly-fix_2400605.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c4/jonathan-edwards-770_admire_if-the-heart-be-chiefly-and-directly-fix_2400605.png) > “If the heart be chiefly and directly fixed on God, and the soul engaged to glorify him, some degree of religious affection will be the effect and attendant of it. But to seek after affection directly and chiefly; to have the heart principally set upon that; is to place it in the room of God and his glory. If it be sought, that others may take notice of it, and admire us for our spirituality and forwardness in religion, it is then damnable pride; if for the sake of feeling the pleasure of being affected, it is then idolatry and self-gratification.” [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True devotion to God must be selfless, not driven by desire for praise or personal pleasure; otherwise it becomes pride or idolatry. **In simple terms:** Selfless worship avoids pride and self‑gratification. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility in faith. Themes faith humility pride idolatry Mood reflective serious Type theological spiritual When to use this quote - personal prayer - public preaching - spiritual counseling Key Concepts theology spiritual psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your devotion is genuine? - What signs indicate worship has become self‑centered? A Different Perspective Pride can masquerade as devotion, making pure worship hard to discern. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory/) [Gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratification/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self gratification](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-gratification/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Spirituality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirituality/) ## Related quotes > [Patriotism is idolatry of the self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/patriotism-is-idolatry-of-the-self/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [Self-love is an idolatry. Self-hatred is a tragedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hardwick/self-love-is-an-idolatry-self-hatred-is-a-tragedy/) [Elizabeth Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hardwick/) > [Love is a many-sided sacrifice; it means thoughtfulness for others; it means putting their good before self-gratification. Love is impulse, no doubt, but true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-reginald-haweis/love-is-a-many-sided-sacrifice-it-means-thoughtfulness-for-others-it/) [Hugh Reginald Haweis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-reginald-haweis/) > [“Revenge isn't a benefit, Lo. It’s self-gratification, an emotional response with very little logic and even less reward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/revenge-isn-t-a-benefit-lo-it-s-self-gratification-an-emotional/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sin always finds it's root in our own selfish desires and self-gratification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/sin-always-finds-it-s-root-in-our-own-selfish-desires-and-self/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [For me, self-gratification eventually took a backseat to trying to do something collaborative with other people, to trying to make something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-pink/for-me-self-gratification-eventually-took-a-backseat-to-trying-to-do/) [Ariel Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-pink/) > [Immaturity is the inability to delay self gratification.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-murdock/immaturity-is-the-inability-to-delay-self-gratification/) [Mike Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-murdock/) > [Studying music encourages self-discipline and diligence, traits that carry over into intellectual pursuits and that lead to effective study and work habits. An association…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-debakey/studying-music-encourages-self-discipline-and-diligence-traits-that/) [Michael E. DeBakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-debakey/) > [“Self-love is no part of morality. Indeed it is exactly its counterpart. It is the sole antagonist of virtue leading us constantly by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-no-part-of-morality-indeed-it-is-exactly-its-counterpart/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In this age of the pursuit of self gratification and self-indulgence, genuine, warm hospitality stands out as a practical example of unselfish giving. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wimber/in-this-age-of-the-pursuit-of-self-gratification-and-self-indulgence/) [John Wimber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wimber/) > [If this earth should ever be destroyed, it will be by desire, by the lust of pleasure and self-gratification, by greed of the green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fire-lame-deer/if-this-earth-should-ever-be-destroyed-it-will-be-by-desire-by-the/) [John Fire Lame Deer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fire-lame-deer/) > [The closed circle of materialism is clear to us now - aspirations become wants, wants become needs, and self-gratification becomes a bottomless pit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/the-closed-circle-of-materialism-is-clear-to-us-now-aspirations/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [“They live with the belief that anything is acceptable if you can get away with it, that self-gratification is the most important aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-salvatore/they-live-with-the-belief-that-anything-is-acceptable-if-you-can-get/) [R.A. Salvatore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-salvatore/) > [Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-the-sole-antagonist-of-virtue-leading-us-constantly-by/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Let us not subside into a single mandatory way of thinking or feeling, immersed by a spirit of self-gratification. But let’s dig into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/let-us-not-subside-into-a-single-mandatory-way-of-thinking-or-feeling/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) ## More by Jonathan Edwards > [The foundation of the Christian's peace is everlasting; it is what no time, no change can destroy. It will remain when the body dies;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/the-foundation-of-the-christian-s-peace-is-everlasting-it-is-what-no/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Every saint in heaven is as a flower in that garden of God, and holy love is the fragrance and sweet odor that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/every-saint-in-heaven-is-as-a-flower-in-that-garden-of-god-and-holy/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [God is glorified not only by His glory being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/god-is-glorified-not-only-by-his-glory-being-seen-but-by-its-being/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [There is no way that Christians, in a private capacity, can do so much to promote the work of God and advance the kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/there-is-no-way-that-christians-in-a-private-capacity-can-do-so-much/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/godliness-is-more-easily-feigned-in-words-than-in-actions/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Let the main thing that we prize in God’s house be, not the outward ornaments of it, or a high seat in it, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/let-the-main-thing-that-we-prize-in-god-s-house-be-not-the-outward/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“But that is the nature of true grace and spiritual light, that it opens to a person's view the infinite reason there is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/but-that-is-the-nature-of-true-grace-and-spiritual-light-that-it/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“The most determining external influence on his style was unquestionably the old, so-called King James version of the English Bible. His language is saturated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/the-most-determining-external-influence-on-his-style-was/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Edwards sought to impose a new test of qualification. He required, namely, that the candidate for full communion should give evidence of being converted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/edwards-sought-to-impose-a-new-test-of-qualification-he-required/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [ “But it is doubtless true, and evident from \[the\] Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/but-it-is-doubtless-true-and-evident-from-the-scriptures-that-the/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Evangelical faith has the gospel of Christ for its foundation;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/evangelical-faith-has-the-gospel-of-christ-for-its-foundation/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“Prop. II. There are many mansions in the house of God. By many mansions is meant many seats or places of abode.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/prop-ii-there-are-many-mansions-in-the-house-of-god-by-many-mansions/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [I resolve to live with all my might while I do live. I resolve never to lose one moment of time and to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/i-resolve-to-live-with-all-my-might-while-i-do-live-i-resolve-never/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [“And now you have an extraordinary opportunity, a day wherein Christ has flung the door of mercy wide open, and stands in the door…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/and-now-you-have-an-extraordinary-opportunity-a-day-wherein-christ/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [Christ gives peace to the most sinful and miserable that come to Him. He heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/christ-gives-peace-to-the-most-sinful-and-miserable-that-come-to-him/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) [Explore all 375 Jonathan Edwards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) ## More Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. 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