Monday, February 21, 2005

Untwisting a Heart

"The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity" Proverbs 11:20

I have become more aware of the true distinctions in the righteous and ungodly. As a child, we seem to associate it with sex, drugs, drink, cussin' and smoking. However, the Bible goes much deeper. Jesus Himself said that it is not what goes into a man that defiles Him, but what comes out. Because what comes out reveals the issues of the heart.

Do you want a quick heart check? The twisted heart is selfish and cynical. It is proud. Once hardened, it makes a mockery of the innocent and believes that perversity is normal. It believes that guilt is immoral and freedom is a license for unrerstrained passion. It makes excuses and criticizes at all times. It seems to love knowledge, but rejects the idea of truth.

God desires to remove that old hardened heart, and put a pliable heart that desires to be ruled by HIm. This is a vulnerable heart- it is willing to hope and believe- it beats to forgive- it rejoices in the moral law of God. It is an optimistic heart that humbly admits to know little knowledge, but rejoices in the truth of Jesus.

The irony is that I am still sinful, but God continues to work on my heart. I cry at silly movies and when my daughters hug my neck. I laugh at my sillyness and feel shame over my lack of integrity. I hope in forgiveness and love to overlook others faults. I'm getting better at my yes and no's- I enjoy my reputation of simplicity.

So here I am. No better than any man. But the scripture says that God delights in me. I don't understand it. But I am thankful for a heart that believes it.

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