Christian Living

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Honest enough to admit it

“Direct my heart toward your decrees and away from unjust gain” [Psalm 119.36 NASB]

David was a man after God’s own heart and in a determined effort to maintain that state he continually examined his own heart for the slightest deviation from that self-imposed standard and here he eventually recognised the desire for unjust gain. How often do we indulge in heart examination? Is this unhealthy and wicked longing in your life?

In Romans 7, Paul was also honest enough to admit that he had found in himself a streak of covetousness. Now without intending to be critical, this is a topic, which is not addressed in too many of today’s churches. Why is this?

Now covetousness is not just any sin, it, according to the New Testament, transgresses the first and greatest commandment. After an internal analysis, we may find that we, God’s chosen people, have divided hearts.

Covetousness is one of those many faceted sins, which can hide its very deadly influence in the midst of some very anointed meetings. For example, it can be veiled from human eyes under the guise of serving, self-denial and very deadly, a wrongly motivated ambition for leadership.

How can we discern this insidious disease? We can find this resident in our own hearts - as Paul was also honest to acknowledge - through self-examination and a thorough reading of godly literature, which focuses on the source of sin in the human heart.

To combat the possible rise of sin, David asked God for insight. Parallel to this and very applicable to us at this precise moment, is Paul’s prayer for the Philippians when he asked God to give the believer’s, “Every kind of perception, to discern what is of value.”

Have you been entangled with the spirit of covetousness and as a result, are you having difficulty in making the right choices?

God is, as He was with Solomon ready to impart to you, insight, wisdom and discernment. He wants you to feel His self-less heart, see the dangers He sees and like a true prophet of the Lord reveal the same to His people. [David McArdle]

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