Proverbs 6:16-18. 16There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 18…a heart that devises wicked plans,
In Solomon’s list of seven sins, the heart is right at the center – a heart that devises wicked plans. Why do you think Solomon put the heart in the middle of his list? That’s right, because our heart is at the center of all we do; it’s the core of who we are. The heart is where all our desires and affections live. You might remember what the Proverbs said earlier – above all else guard your heart. Why? Because, in the end, we always do what we most want to do.
Solomon says that, in general, our heart devises plans. It decides what we do. It calculates things out. Every choice takes shape in your heart. So let me ask you, what plans do you have for today? Are they wicked? Do you ever think about how you’d like to hurt someone? Get even with them? Trick them? Bully them? Ignore them? Gossip about them?
Scripture makes it clear that each of us is born with a wicked heart. As in the days of Noah, every intent of our heart is evil from our youth. The prophet Jeremiah said that more than anything else the heart is deceitful and desperately sick. And, of course, Jesus taught us that all of our evil comes from out of our hearts.
The good news today, for those who are in Christ, is that although we were born with a wicked and deceitful heart, we have been given a new heart in Christ. This is one of the greatest promises of the New Covenant – I will put my Spirit in them and give them a new heart. What does this mean for us?
Romans 6:17. But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.
Paul says that the Christian can obey God from the heart. We can love from a pure heart. Serve from a faithful heart. Praise from a joyful heart. Forgive from a grace filled heart. God’s expectations of us to live in whole hearted submission to his will are actually possible for us to live up to. Why? Because God’s law of love is written on our hearts. The heart of Christ in us wants to love. Christ in you wants to obey the Father today. Christ in you wants to care for and be kind to others. Christ in you wants to forgive and show grace and mercy. Christ in you wants to devise plans for only good, never for evil.
In Christ, we can trust our hearts. Why? Because Christ’s new heart in you is stronger than your old heart. Listen, God only commands what he has already empowered. The new heart is that power. The power of God in us dwells in our hearts. Christ dwells in our hearts. His love dwells in our hearts.
So, if your plans for today are wicked, dig a little deeper through your flesh and into your new heart. That’s where you’ll find Jesus waiting.
You: What plans are you devising for today? Are they plans for evil or for good?
You in Christ: In Christ, you have been given a new heart. Can you recognize the new desires that comes with it?
Christ in you: Do you feel like you are listening to Christ’s heart in you? How can you train yourself to listen to his heart more and more?
Pray: Father, you have given me the new heart. Help me to live from Christ’s heart of “flesh,” rather than my old heart of “stone.” Amen.
To Live is Christ 