Proverbs 20:5. The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Very few of us know how to explore the deep waters of the ocean. Deep waters are dark and dangerous. Deep waters are where secrets are buried, and treasures are lost.
A person’s heart is not a puddle to be splashed around in, or a shallow creek to play in. It is deep waters. And only the man of understanding can draw it out. The truth few of us even know our own hearts, much less how to draw out the heart of another person. But growth in the wisdom of the gospel can allow us to grow in our understanding the motivations of those around us.
Where is there shame? Insecurity? Pride? It takes understanding of the soul to see beyond the surface emotions and choices of those we are doing life with. Actions we can see. Emotions we can often see. But mindsets, beliefs, desires, imaginations – these are the unseen deep waters of the heart. We can easily see the choice that was made, but can we discern the motivation behind it? Why did they do what they did? Whose side are they really on? Is the answer they gave the honest truth?
The truth is that, even as Christians, especially as Christians, our motivations are often mixed. The person in Christ has a very real battle raging in their heart. The Spirit is battling the flesh in every choice, every motivation, every desire. Here’s how Paul describes this fight in Galatians:
Galatians 5:16-17. 16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Every Christian must live in awareness of this ongoing war of desires. The desires of the Spirit raging against the desires of the flesh. Great wisdom is required because the visible results of both Spirit and flesh can look exactly alike. The two saints serving side by side in ministry might be doing it from two very different motivations – Spirit or flesh. The two Christians who are working the program to overcome addiction might be doing it from two very different heart postures – Spirit or flesh. The two students of the word might be diligently studying scripture from two very different intentions – one spiritual, one fleshly.
As a spiritual friend we can us godly understanding from the Word of God to graciously divide soul and spirit and discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12). We can be a man of understanding for our brothers and sisters in Christ. But at the end of the day only THE Man of Understanding, Jesus Christ in us, can draw out the true purposes of a person’s heart. Only Christ can navigate the deep waters of the soul. Only Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves.
Will you let him know you today?
You: How well do you know your own heart?
You in Christ: How does trusting your union with Christ allow you to let your true heart be known by God?
Christ in you: Who are your spiritual friends that know your heart, and you know theirs? Are you regularly helping each other to understand the deep waters of the heart? How can Christ in you be your guide?
Pray: Jesus, you are THE man of understanding that knows me better than I know myself. Help me to know my own heart and to then be that “man of understanding” for others too. Gently pointing their hearts back to faith in you. Amen.
To Live is Christ 