"The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things"

In Jeremiah 17:9 (RSV), Jeremiah records the following truism along with a question: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?" From the scriptures, we know of three Persons who can fully understand the heart: (1) God (Psalm 44:20-21; Luke 16:15; Acts 15:8); (2) Christ (Matthew 9:3-4; Luke 5:22; 6:8; 9:47; 11:17); (3) Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10; illustration - Acts 5:1-11).

From the reading found in Psalm 55:23; Psalm 101:7, we learn that the lives of bloodthirsty and deceitful men will be cut short, and that those who work deceit and tell lies, will not be found in David's house (not be tolerated). The Proverb writer tells us that those who possess a deceitful heart, will find "no good" (Proverbs 17:20). And we learn from Ecclesiastes 7:29 NET that "God made humankind upright" but man sought out "many evil schemes" (cf. Genesis 3:6-7).

What's the biblical solution to not possessing a deceitful heart? The inspired apostle Paul provides us the answer in Galations 2:14 KJV, regarding Peter and Barnabas' hypocritical heart in eating with the Gentiles, but not when the Jews were present (see commentary regarding vs's 7-15): "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel....." (also note vs. 5).

Noting the above scripture, how do we rid ourselves of a deceitful heart? By walking "uprightly according to the truth of the gospel."

Beloved, we can only "know" and "obey" the truth found in the gospel, when we "study" and "abide" in that truth, being approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15; John 8:31-32 KJV). Only then can we truly be "free" from deceit, the darkness of sin, and the enslavement of eternal death, i.e., Romans 6:16-23 (see article).

---Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets