Skip to main content

The Heart

             The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (Romans 8:5-7)

We tend to think very highly of hearts, especially our own. That supposed core of our being. For that matter, we tend to think highly of most of our bodies. When our hearts tell us something is right, we tend to go along with it even if our heads tell us it’s wrong. How could it be wrong when it feels so right? (Forget the fact that he’s married.) But I’m hungry! (Forget the fact that I ate an hour ago.) I’ve even had people tell me that it didn’t matter what Scripture says, as long as whatever came from their hearts. Perhaps worse yet is the person who says that they know that what they’re doing is (probably) wrong, but they’re going to do it anyway, and God will forgive them. That is a gross and arrogant presumption. God does forgive if we repent – but do we really repent?

The problem with all of that is that our hearts aren’t trustworthy. Our bodies, our feelings, our thoughts, our wills, and our social environments are all tainted by sin, so they can’t be trusted to make the right choice. We are too easily convinced, even against our wills, or so-called better natures. Even if we don’t convince ourselves we are right to do something, we make allowances. We work hard…we deserve… it’s self-care… As C.S. Lewis said, we are too often too satisfied with too little. Sex, food, time to vegetate in front of a TV/computer screen, alcohol or other drugs, a shopping trip, a new toy, an extravagant celebration of whatever.

Why do we not hold out for God as our reward? Why don’t we seek His kingdom? Because our hearts, our bodies, or thoughts, our feelings, and all the rest whisper in our ears that they need something else. Right now. Right here. God? He might be a good reward, but He’s not going to meet the need we feel because He gets in the way of that feeling or of us being god.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more