Proverbs 6:14. [The wicked person] with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;
Proverbs reminds us here of one of the most important truths for self-awareness that we must embrace – evil comes from a wicked heart. Or, to say it another way, we always do what we think is the most satisfying, or the most pleasing thing. It’s really that simple. When we do something evil, or when we sow discord, it is because we have a perverted (twisted) heart that wanted to do that evil discordant thing.
Jesus said it this way: Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
The specific evil addressed in this proverb is sowing discord. Stirring up strife, arguments, anger, fights. This is the troublemaker that we talked about yesterday. Bu now we get to the root cause of the problem. Why do troublemakers cause trouble? Why do any of us do what we do?
Because it is what our heart tells us to do.
Our deepest desire. Our driving force.
The good news is that Jesus doesn’t just tell us what to do, he doesn’t just say “Stop it!” when confronting our wicked behavior. He actually changes our heart. He untwists it. He gives us a deeper desire for God and for his goodness. How? By our union with Christ. By dwelling in us and writing his law of love on our hearts. By the indwelling Spirit of Christ, God is slowly changing your heart to trust him, love him, and love others. Are you seeing your heart change a little bit at a time? Can you tell that Jesus is untwisting your heart?
You: Do you agree that ultimately you always do what you want to do? Why or why not?
You in Christ: Do you believe that you have a new heart? What evidence of the new heart can you see I your life?
Christ in you: Is there a relationship that needs you to sow peace into it rather than discord? How can trusting the peace of Christ help you?
Pray: Father, keep changing my heart. I don’t want to devise evil anymore. Help me to sow peace not discord as I embrace Christ’s peace in me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 