Learning To Be Careful In Listening To My Heart

In summary of Jeremiah 17:9-10 it says,

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out.  But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind.  get to the heart of the human.  I get to the root of things.

I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

Bottom Line:

Our hearts are deceiving, they don’t always do what’s logical or rational, its hard to figure out.  But God searches our true hearts and knows our intentions.  He then gives according to our ways and deeds

What this means to me:

My heart won’t always want what is really best for me.  I can easily convince myself of anything to suit my real desires.  It’s hard therefore to be really rational.  God sees my true intent and will deal rightly with my hearts intent.  One way to combat this is to be brutally honest with myself so that my mind doesn’t try to justify my selfish desires.  One way I just learned to deal with this is to ask the question, “Am I being completely honest with myself?” and this is best asked personally in front of a mirror and in private.  It’s important to expose my real reasons.  Next, I can follow what’s in one of my favorite verses,  Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”  And the other is follow what Proverbs 18:13 says, and make sure I get all the facts before proceeding.  Today, I will think through decisions I’m currently making and re-evaluate them based on this.