“More tortuous than all else is the human heart, beyond remedy; who can understand it? I, the LORD, alone probe the mind and test the heart, to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.” – Jeremiah 17:10.
The second sentence above is why we don’t flatter ourselves and believe our own hype. This is one of those things that keep us humble – that God looks beyond our virtues, our spoken words as well as our good deeds, and examines the heart that conceived them. Every thought, whether fleeting or dwelt upon; every intention and motivation, whether pure or dubious; every hope and plan, is examined for accountability to God’s rules. No created man is good enough to pass that level of scrutiny.
This is also why we don’t judge others, we can’t discern what God can discern about what makes them tick or act. Our knowledge or practice of human psychology may provide limited insight, and we must acknowledge that limitation when we are making conclusions based on the science of studying behavioral patterns. Only God can probe the mind and test the heart of man!
This is also why we cannot totally put our trust or confidence in others when we are in trouble. Man’s heart is tortuous! Their mouths and hearts may not always be in unison, and we have no way of telling. Promises can be broken, expectations can be shattered, and affections subject to change for reasons beyond our purview. Any help they render to us is due to the work of God upon their hearts and while gratitude is in order to them, all the glory is due to God for He never shares His glory. (Is.42:8, 1Cor.1:29)
Lastly, this is also why we don’t plot revenge. Just as He claims the exclusive ability to probe minds and test hearts, God claims the exclusive right to carry out acts of vengeance against those who hurt us. (Deut.32:35, Rom. 12:19). It is safe to assume that God’s exclusive right to vengeance is related to the exclusive right of knowing the mindset and motivation of the offending party. He is thus the only one that can mete out the appropriate punishment and reward all according to their ways and the merits of their deeds.
May we remain humble in our dealings with God and man and may we never succumb to the temptation to proudly usurp the exclusive privileges of God. God is God!!!
Hilltop Thoughts, Valley Strengths 