A Deceitful Heart

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."   Jer 17:9-10 (NIV)

Much has been written and said about senior ranking government officers and political figures who have found themselves in compromising positions or run foul of the law.  Lest we start pointing an accusing finger at them and follow the characteristics of the accuser of the brethren, I want to say that none of us are immune to sin and temptations in life.  All of us have fallen short of God's laws (by God's mercy we're still alive) and may have also broken many laws of the land (only that we are not caught).  As Jeremiah the prophet rightly puts it, our hearts are deceitful and beyond cure.  Jesus said that anyone who lusts after a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart, thus equating sin in thought to that of sin in deed (Mt 5:27-28).  We see here that God's moral laws are much higher in standards because He searches the hearts of all men (and women). 

Two political figures in the Old Testament were not removed from office when they sinned against God.  King Saul displayed a lack of integrity when he lied to God's prophet and also assumed the priesthood when he was not supposed to do so.  King David committed adultery and murder; his life was spared but not the baby's.  Both kings continued their respective reigns until their deaths; one in battle and the other due to old age.   However, both had to live with the consequences of their sins.  King Saul's popularity wane and an evil spirit tormented him.  King David experienced deceit, contention and deaths within his own household.  We have to bear in mind the Scripture in Num 32:23, "But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out."   It is by God's grace and mercy, despite their flaws, Saul and David each reigned for about 40 years in Israel.

All throughout Scriptures, we see God using weak human vessels for his own glory.  Moses was used as a deliverer despite him being a murderer.  Peter became the apostle to the Jews despite him having denied the Lord three times.  Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles despite him being a persecuter of the church.  Each of them turned around because they had an encounter with God. For Moses, it was the burning bush.  For Peter, it was with Jesus at the beach and for Paul, it was along the Damascus road.  Many convicts have had their lives turned around by Christ and are now serving God in various ways.  Society may not be accepting of such ones to serve in prominent positions whereby they have to be role models.  But God accepts them just the way they are to be His servants.  This can only come about because God does a special work in their hearts, putting His Spirit in them, and changing them from the inside out.  Only God can cure a deceitful heart, making it a merry heart.