By Evang. Joachim P. Erameh
There is no way we can fully tell what is in the heart of man. Hence, the Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). It is only God who knows what is in our hearts. Psalm 44:21 says He knows the secrets of the heart. Why did the Bible say the heart of man is desperately wicked? Mark 7:21-22 says, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.” Every evil is conceived and contrived in the heart. The content of our hearts matters a lot. God looks at our hearts. What is in your heart determines whether you are a good or bad person. Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Your heart shapes who you are. Scripture instructs us to keep our hearts pure. Psalm 24:3-4 says, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” A pure heart is very important for anyone desiring to go to heaven. We can hide the thoughts of our hearts from man, but certainly not from God. Jeremiah 17:10 makes it clear that God searches the heart to give to everyone according to their works.
Dear reader, what is the condition of your heart? Is it bringing forth good or evil treasure? Remember, the thoughts of your heart are naked before God in heaven. Guard your heart against evil thoughts and keep it pure before God.