04/09/2020
For most of us it is unsettling that God would search our hearts, and few, if any, would honestly invite Him to do so without some trepidation. Our natures, and personalities, incline us towards certain temptations and sins, and we have become so comfortable in our weaknesses that we scarcely visit these places within our hearts intent on confronting them. Are we bold enough to invite God To know our hearts? Do we have the courage ourselves to visit these innermost places that we find uncomfortable to our faith?
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”
Psalms 139:23 ESV
In this time when we are struggling around the world to defeat Coronavirus, we have no inoculation against it, so our best defense is to maintain a safe distance between ourselves, and to wash our hands frequently. By doing this we hope to let the virus run the course of its lifecycle in those who already have it, thus letting it die away without infecting new hosts. Unfortunately for us sin and temptation have no short lifespan, and can lie dormant In us for years, or forever, as they wait to spring back to life. So we must confront these enemies, and defeat them. In order to do this we need to go where they are sleepIng, seeking them out, and eradicate them with the Sword of God. Though We receive spiritual help in our battle against sin, the responsibility remains ours...
“We are obligated to watch and keep our hearts above all other things. Let him that desires to avoid temptation labour to know his own heart.” - John Owen, Noncomformist Puritan (1616-1683)
Sin and temptation are unlike Coronavirus in another way... to become infected with a virus we must come in contact with someone who already has it, or visit a place where they have left traces of it. However, sin and it’s temptation are already within each of us, and although another sinner might bring it to life within us, we truthfully need no help in this, and can manage to do this of our own accord.
“What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:9-10, 23 ESV
So to win out over this struggle against sin we must turn our attentions inward, and visit our own hearts. It is necessary that we should prepare ourselves for God’s inspection with full knowledge of our sinfulness before we will in any way feel comfortable inviting Him to search us, and know our thoughts, but to accomplish this we need to admit we are sinners, confront our propensity to sin within ourselves, and then ask Jesus, and the Holy Spirit for help... even then we will need to pray for the mercy and the grace of God.
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:”
Romans 3:21-22 ESV
So how are we succeeding in our battle against sin and temptation? Are we doing all we can by dwelling in the Word of God, Abiding in Christ, following the lead of the Holy Spirit, and seeking God’s mercy and grace, or are we still trying to combat our sinfulness by maintaining a safe distance from temptation, and hoping that our sin will remain dormant, and unseen within us?
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalms 119:9-11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing my heart to me, and showing me the sin that hides secretly there. Thank you Holy Father for your Son Jesus Christ who has defeated sin and death that through Him I might be victorious over this, my innermost enemy. Help me Father to know my brother Jesus fully, and accept His victory as my own... His righteous as mine. Help me through your Holy Spirit to understand your will for me , and to see your grace as it flows from your Son. Send your angels to deliver me from temptation; providing me escape, and weeding the tares from my heart... your green field. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who knows my heart, and leads me in righteousness. Wonderful are you whose mercy and grace cover my sins with the blood of your Son Jesus. Sweep from me the temptation and desire that sparks the fire of sin within me, and claim for yourself alone the glory of my salvation. Praised be your name Father for knowing my heart and yet making provision and recompense for my sin and unsavory thoughts that reside there through Jesus. I worship you Lord, and stand beside Jesus, dressed in your armor, and wielding your sword against my sinful nature forevermore.
“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalms 19:13-14 ESV
Rich Forbes