“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.”
Proverbs 28:26
“Follow your heart”? But our hearts are the problem, and we must work to set them on things above, as Paul says.
Paul starts with the heart because the Bible states there is a problem with our hearts. Resulting from the fall, our hearts are evil. “Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. … We acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, … uttering lies our hearts have conceived” (Isaiah 59:12-13). “I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be” (Jeremiah 17:10, The Message). Jesus preached the same thing: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19).
Our hearts will not always know what is right, so they must be examined and guarded. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, New Living Translation).
Paul starts with the heart because the Bible states there is a problem with our hearts. Resulting from the fall, our hearts are evil. “Our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. … We acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, … uttering lies our hearts have conceived” (Isaiah 59:12-13). “I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be” (Jeremiah 17:10, The Message). Jesus preached the same thing: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19).
Our hearts will not always know what is right, so they must be examined and guarded. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23, New Living Translation).
Scripture Focus
Matthew 5:17-20
Insight
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart.”“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 26:2; 51:10)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Chronicles 2-3
- Proverbs 25
- Revelation 3-5