The Heart of Man

While mediating on the condition of man yesterday the Spirit of God reminded me of Cain. Cain was the first born son of Adam and Eve and the first murderer in history, causing the first record of death on the earth. Cain killed his younger and at the time only brother Abel. Now what is most interesting for the point of this discussion is Cain’s heart. The Word tells us God asked Cain before the murder, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?” So we know Cain was angry and that his expression or physical appearance was noticeably upset. We all know what someone looks like when their countenance has fallen. I used to say to my children, fix your face. (They hated it!) I would inquire about what was wrong and when they would say nothing, I would tell them look in the mirror to notify their face and fix it. What we often fail to acknowledge is the condition of our heart.  Remember His Word says “it’s not what goes in a man that defiles him, but what comes out of the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness or lies, and blasphemies.” In this scripture we see Cain did not answer God when asked about his anger and countenance. Although God knowing all things spoke of Cains heart and told him to do well and that he would be accepted. He also warned Cain that sin was at the door of his heart but instructed Cain to rule over it. Yet, Cain killed his brother and when God asked him where his brother was, he answered lying by saying he did not know and questioned God asking, Am I my brother’s keeper? In other words, Cain said I am not responsible.

Wow! As we read this most of us think of Cain as this despicable hate filled man. We don’t think of him as a man just like us. We separate ourselves from the heart that was in him as if that heart is not in us. And we do this in pride and ignorance. His Word says, “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." God is speaking of us! It is the heart of God only that separates us from the heathen. It is His blood that cleansed us and His Word that sustains us. This is accomplished through His grace and our obedience alone.

I find that it is not in the Sunday service that I am confronted about the wickedness that is within me. It’s daily.  We must strive daily through constant vigilance to heed His Word and with purposeful effort maintain ears to hear and a heart to obey. It’s work! It is the working out of our salvation with fear and trembling. An example, yesterday my son, Jeremiah addressed some comments I made about a friend of ours. I justified the reasons for my words in the moment. But in my heart I knew there was no justification. It was a small thing and could seem harmless, yet I know and believe that God saw the truth of my heart and it was wicked. It doesn’t matter how much I attempted to explain or justify the reason for my words. It didn’t matter if the person heard me or not. (The lie of the world, what they don’t see won’t hurt them) We are the ones hurt. And I was wrong. God heard me and He hears you. He knows our hearts and He alone reveals our hearts to us, whether they are good or evil. God pricked my heart to repent. I am sorry and am turning from this wickedness. We know if we will admit it when we are wrong. I know His Word says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life”.  

My prayer for us today: Oh Lord God, Father of lights, You from whom all blessings flow. Hear my prayer. Guide us today in truth, open our hearts to receive your Word and strengthen us to obey. Remember that your servants are the creation of your hands and have mercy on us. Then we will declare the power of your name and your faithfulness to all generations. Amen!