“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)
The heart is the center of our thoughts, desires, attitudes, and decisions. The Bible warns us that the heart can be deceitful and desperately wicked. Sometimes we can deceive others about what is happening inside us, and even deceive ourselves, but we can never deceive God. He knows what is truly taking place in our hearts. That is why we need to allow Him to constantly clean it.
The first step is repentance. Repentance means changing the way we think and act; changing our direction. It is turning away from sin and turning toward God. True repentance requires us to examine ourselves and surrender the things that do not please Him.
We may need to repent of pride, anger, bitterness, jealousy, unforgiveness, hatred, lust, selfishness, and deceit. These things can remain hidden in the heart while everything appears fine outwardly. But God desires truth in our inward parts so that He can truly help us.
God said, “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26, NKJV).
God is asking us to give Him our hearts. His ways are revealed through His Word. When we read, study, meditate upon, and obey the Word of God, our hearts are transformed. Our lives are refreshed. The Word exposes what is hidden, corrects what is wrong, and brings us into alignment with God’s will. As we repent, we renounce the works of darkness and choose to walk in the light.
Today, don’t only ask God to change your circumstances. Ask Him to change your heart.
Read: Acts 3:19; Romans 12:2
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 25:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 3; Jeremiah 31:15-40; Jeremiah 32:1-25