A New Heart

"Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy" (Prov. 12:20, ESV).

There is a certain sense in which we are all planners. We may not have a day-planner or a ten year plan, but somewhere deep inside of us is a heart that plans. Now the intent of that heart, will be determined largely by the things that fill it. Jesus said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexually immorality, theft, murder, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person" (Mark 7:20-23, ESV).

Jesus' words expand on what Solomon has said here: Deceit is in the heart of the those who devise evil. Evil heart, evil plans. Now, I know you are breathing a sigh of relief right now, thinking that you don't have an evil agenda. However, God's idea of evil and our idea of evil aren't always in the same ballpark. Unless our understanding of evil is informed and controlled by the Word of God, we will be off of the mark.

Notice in Jesus' list that there are somethings we might not find particularly offensive like pride, envy, or foolishness. However, Jesus says these things defile. They pollute. They make a person unholy in the eyes of God. The simple fact is that the human heart is a wile beast. It is subtle and cunning. By the Spirit, Jeremiah wrote, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9, ESV).

Then, who is it that can make plans of peace? Those whom the Spirit regenerates. When the Spirit applies the gospel to the heart, awakening sinners to their need, he gives them a new heart. The Lord said, "I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart" (Jer. 24:7, ESV). Paul express the same truth, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (2 Cor. 5:17, ESV).

This reality, that we are new creations, should move us to work out our new natures. The heart, through faith in Christ, is transformed so that it now desires to do the will of God, where formerly it desired its own sinful desires. The nature of indwelling sin, and the old habits of the heart, lead to a struggle against sin (see Romans 7). And while we may not always succeed in walking in obedience, the desire to obey the Lord is their.

Thus, it is a person whose heart has not been regenerated that habitually allows their heart to generate deceptive schemes. Evil schemes precede from an evil heart, but it means more than simply evil actions. A person of a regenerate heart might tell a lie (which would still be a sin), but they will not habitually live a lie, such as, making themselves out to be holier than they are or more important than they are. The evil schemer is intent on doing evil, it is his desire to satisfy the cravings of his flesh, regardless of what the Law of the Lord says.

But a person whose heart has been transformed by the gospel isn't out to do evil. They don't want to destroy their neighbor, instead they plan peace. They love their neighbors as themselves and pray for those who persecute them. And while they may stumble and struggle, they continue to seek the Lord's forgiveness and guidance. If the driving force in your life is love for the Lord, you can breath a little easier. Your evil heart has been removed, its sins have received their full punishment in Christ's body on the cross. You have been given a new heart, with which you can plan peace to the glory of God.

"Is it I?"

Something I read in John's Gospel has disturbed me. In chapter 13, John is recounting the events of the night that Jesus was betrayed. He states, "After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, on of you will betray me.' The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke'"(John 13:21-22, ESV). My mind jumped to another passage that states, "They began to be sorrowful and say to him one after another, 'Is it I?'" (Mark 14:9, ESV).

The main reason this passage disturbed me is because it demonstrates the deceptiveness of the human heart. These men had seen all the miracles Jesus' had performed and had received special tutoring from Jesus on the meaning of his teachings, yet these men were not sure if they would betray Jesus. "Is it I?" How could they not know if they were going to betray the Lord? This moment, brief as it was, was probably the most humble moment the disciples ever had while walking with Jesus. In this moment the veil was drawn back a bit, revealing the true nature of their hearts. For one short moment they got it. They saw in themselves their sin and rebellion, their self-pity and pride, their foolishness and pettiness, and they were uncertain where their loyalty lie. They knew in that moment that they could betray the Son of God, but hoped desperately that they would not. And were it not for the grace of God we, too, might betray our blessed Savior.

I think this is what Paul meant when he said that we should be careful when we think we are standing so that we do not fall (1 Cor. 10:12). Our hearts are prone to wander. We are like straying sheep. For this reason the Scripture calls us to continual watchfulness. Peter states it well, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Pet 5:8, ESV; see also, Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:37-38, 21:36; Acts 20:31; 1 Cor 16:13; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 1 Thes 5:6; and Rev 16:15). Friends continue to be vigilant. Keep your eyes on the Lord for he alone is able to keep you from falling (Jude 1:24-25).
This passage also reminds me that I am thankful for a Great Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep and who brings the straying lambs back to safety.