Joel Osteen Podcast

Episode: It's The Heart That Matters | Joel Osteen

Published: September 3, 2025

Host: Joel Osteen
Podcast Theme:
Joel Osteen inspires listeners to embrace fresh beginnings and pursue their best life using biblical encouragement and practical wisdom.

Overview

In "It's The Heart That Matters," Joel Osteen explores the core Christian idea that God is far more interested in the intentions and posture of our hearts than in our outward behavior or perfect performance. Through scripture, personal stories, and uplifting analogies, Joel urges listeners to stop condemning themselves for their imperfections, to accept God’s approval, and to recognize their intrinsic worth as children of God. The message focuses on self-acceptance, spiritual growth, and the freeing power of God’s grace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God Values Heart Over Performance

• Joel opens by acknowledging human imperfection. (03:26)

  • We all struggle, fall short, or fail to uphold our own standards at times.
  • Many people walk around feeling guilty or condemned, believing they must be flawless to receive God’s blessings.

• Scriptural Support:

  • Joel references the scripture: “God searches the earth to show himself strong in people whose hearts are turned perfect toward Him”.
  • “God is not looking for people who have a perfect performance… He's looking for people who have a perfect heart turned toward Him.” (04:36)

• Pharisees vs. the Disciples

  • Pharisees: Followed every rule, but had self-righteous, proud, critical hearts.
  • Disciples: Flawed backgrounds, yet chosen by Jesus for their sincere hearts. (06:03)
    • “He didn’t choose people who had it all together… He chose people who had flaws and weaknesses, but what God could see was the heart.” (06:41)

2. Accepting Yourself During Imperfect Progress

• The Process of Change

  • God changes us “from glory to glory”—spiritual growth is gradual.
  • Joel cautions against waiting for complete perfection before embracing self-acceptance. (09:11)

• Self-acceptance and Grace

  • “You have to accept yourself right where you are, faults and all. You are not a finished product. God is the potter, you are the clay.” (10:03)
  • “The sooner you say, ‘God, my life is in your hands—not just my goals and dreams, but my flaws, my weaknesses…’ the sooner you’ll find peace.” (11:06)

3. Don’t Let Condemnation Define You

• Breaking Free from Guilt and Condemnation

  • Criticizing and condemning oneself leads to further mistakes and poor relationships. (13:25)
  • Joel encourages putting on the “breastplate of God’s approval” every day.

• Quote:

  • “If you don’t like yourself, nobody else is going to like you. You project on others the way you feel about yourself.” (13:50)
  • “When God made you, he wasn’t having a bad day. You are not a mistake. You have been fearfully and wonderfully made.” (15:01)
  • “You may make mistakes. We all do. But here’s the key: that’s what you do, that’s not who you are.” (17:09)

4. Your Identity Is Set by God, Not Your Behavior

• Joel uses personal and biblical examples:

  • Story of his son Jonathan as a toddler: No matter the mistakes, Jonathan remained an Osteen. (20:44)
  • Parallels Christian identity: “When you gave your life to Christ, you were born into a new family… nothing you do can change your who. It has been set by the Creator.” (21:26)

• Focusing on God’s Approval

  • “God said you were good before you did one good thing. You don’t have to keep working trying to gain God’s approval. You already have it.” (18:14)

• Addressing Accusations:

  • “The enemy would love for us to go around like we don’t deserve God’s blessings. He’s called the accuser. Don’t believe those lies. Your who never changes.” (19:30)

5. God Cleans Up Our Messes Because He Loves Us

• The “Washed Car” Story:

  • Joel shares about his young son using dirty towels to “clean” his spotless car; he didn’t scold because the boy’s heart was in the right place. (24:07)
  • “I wonder how many times God does that with us. We make the mess, but because our heart is right, God causes it to all work out, never says anything about it.” (24:55)

• Biblical Story of Mary the Sinner (Luke 7):

  • Despite her poor reputation, her single act of devotion (washing Jesus’ feet with perfume) was met with forgiveness and mercy, not condemnation. (26:00)
  • “It’s not your performance, it’s your heart that matters.” (26:37)

6. Practical Encouragement and Next Steps

• Steps Toward Growth:

  • Focus on keeping your heart turned toward God, not on perfect behavior.
  • Accept God’s unconditional love, put on His approval every day.
  • Let go of guilt and condemnation; don’t stay down after a mistake.

• Quote:

  • “If God’s goodness was only based on our perfect behavior, none of us would have a chance; we all fall short.” (27:39)
  • “Don’t let guilt keep you from your destiny. Bottom line: God is not keeping a record of all our mistakes.” (28:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Perspective:

  • “He’s more pleased with someone with a right heart that makes mistakes every once in a while than someone with a wrong heart and performs perfectly all the time.” (05:39)

• On Parental Love:

  • "Only a father can see the two good moves and not the fact that his son just got tackled by most of North America. That’s the way our Heavenly Father is.” (23:35)

• Summary Call to Action:

  • “Get up every morning, start approving yourself. Shake off the guilt, the condemnation. Keep your heart turned toward God. If you’ll do this, I believe and declare God is going to show out strong in your life.” (27:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Story-based Introduction & Humor: 01:22 – 03:20
• Theme Introduction: It's the Heart That Matters: 03:21 – 06:40
• Understanding God’s Standard – Pharisees vs. Disciples: 06:41 – 09:11
• The Process of Acceptance & Change: 09:12 – 13:49
• Putting On God’s Approval – Identity over Performance: 13:50 – 20:42
• Personal Parental Story & God’s Grace: 20:43 – 24:55
• Biblical Example of Mercy – Mary & the Perfume: 26:00 – 27:39
• Final Encouragement, Blessing, and Prayer: 27:40 – 28:33

Conclusion

In this moving and motivational episode, Joel Osteen reassures listeners that spiritual success isn’t about outward perfection but about where our heart stands before God. Through relatable analogies, touching stories, and scriptural references, he shows that grace is available to everyone willing to keep their heart turned toward God. Listeners are encouraged to let go of guilt, embrace their identity as beloved children of God, and continue growing in faith and character—knowing that God is always for them and ready to extend mercy and favor.