Jeremiah 17:9-10
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.

Application: 

One of the most famous verses in Jeremiah addresses people who could sin greatly while naively asking, “What sins are we committing?” So God states, The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it? Our human ability to deceive ourselves and rebel against God is unlimited. We don’t understand ourselves as well as we think we do.*

If our only hope for understanding the human heart is other people, then we’re in serious trouble. Here, God also adds that he examines the mind and tests the heart (17:10). This explains why people say that when they read the Bible, it feels as if it’s looking into the deepest parts of their minds and hearts.*

They sense this because God’s Word is alive and powerful, continuously probing us. Being probed and exposed by the incision God makes in our lives through His Word (see Hebrews 4:12) is beneficial because it helps us confront deep-rooted sin and begin to grow. The God who tests and knows the heart is also capable of giving sinners what they deserve—judgment for turning away from the Lord, the fountain of living water (17:13).*

This verse is contrary to what the world and human wisdom teach. “Follow your heart” is a favorite phrase in today’s society, yet following our own understanding and our heart will only lead to death without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in us, which we receive when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and obey Him. This requires our total surrender of our hearts to Him and the removal of any idols before Him. 

*Reference: Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 693.

To God be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Disclaimer

When God inspires me, I write or post articles that glorify God. I invite you to view this post as a Bible study. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, I encourage you to search the Scriptures to determine whether what I have posted is true. Always consult your church ministers regarding biblical matters. I am not a professional writer, so there may be grammatical or spelling errors. I strive to write as clearly and efficiently as possible. Your brother in Christ, Ricardo.

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