But Only God Knows My Heart

Steven’s Scribbles
“But Only God Knows My Heart”
1 Sam. 16:7
    
    The defense, “You can’t judge me, only God knows my heart” is one that has been heard dozens of times. The concept of God knowing the heart of man is absolutely true. When The Lord was speaking to Samuel about choosing a young shepherd, David, to be the future king of Israel, He said, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7) No where in that sentiment does God express that man can not look at the heart, but man generally looks toward appearance. Furthermore, Jesus makes it clear that we reveal our hearts continually. We reveal the condition of our heart through our speech and actions. “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things while defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” (Matt. 15:18-20) Additionally, there were people in the first century who talk about the condition of other people’s hearts. When rebuking Simon the magician for trying to buy the Holy Spirit with money, Peter said “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the bondage of iniquity.” (Acts 8:22-23) Obviously Peter had the ability to judge this mans heart through his actions. When speaking to the church in Rome about those who had judged hypocritically (also condemned by Jesus in Matt. 7:1-6), Paul said, “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Rom. 2:5). From these examples, it is clear that “Only God knows my heart” is an utterly false expression. We reveal our hearts daily. I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley