“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”
- Jeremiah 17:9 (NASB)
When I was first enlightened with this scripture, I was shocked. After all, we hear “Follow your heart” on tv, and in the world. I thought believing my heart was the basis for making decisions - wasn’t it? Inquisitively, I looked up the definition of ‘deceive’- which (according to merriam-webster.com) means to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid. I checked out the word ‘deceived’ in the Bible and there are many references to deception. Beginning in the Old Testament with Adam and Eve.
I recall being deceived and it ‘feels’ real. In my early twenties I found a book on an airplane. It was about spiritual matters - unfortunately, untrue. I read it and my heart was happily ready to grasp this new found belief. While in my deception, someone came along and revealed the truth of Jesus to me. I was set back. My natural response was and still can be denial, confusion, to become defensive, or let their words of truth mull around in my brain and then take root in my heart. After crying and battling a lie from the book, I accepted that I had been deceived, I then changed what I believed based on truth - not my feelings and wrong thinking.
When it comes to spiritual matters and life in general, we can be deceived and yet how do we find truth? We can go to the Word of God and read what He says about all facets of life. God may send others to speak on His behalf. The Spirit of God is who reveals the truth - if He has led you this far then He will open your eyes and ears - if you let Him. He will turn your heart and lead you out of deception.
Relevant reading: Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 69:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Timothy 3:1-16; 1 John 4:1; Psalm 26:2-4; Isaiah 53:6
Lord search my heart and refine my mind so that I may not deceive myself or be deceived by others. Help me to desire to live in Your truth, not mine.
This devotion by author, Terrie Miles, is exclusively and solely shared with permission to New Beginnings Church. Any unauthorized printed reproduction, sharing or use of this material is prohibited.
