#THE HEART IS WICKED AND DECEITFUL ABOVE ALL THINGS!!!

[liuisi]

i feel like this is a topic that needs more than just a tumblr post to fully expand on but. i think that in modern-day christian culture we place WAY too much emphasis on Feeling and Emotion . and i think that this attitude is part of the reason why the most common struggle you hear is "God isn't speaking to me/I can't hear God". feels like the standard set is that you're constantly feeling a Supernatural presence and it's Big and Obvious and it Shows and you can't contain it... when that's just not it. God can be quiet. God can nudge. God's voice is contained in the Bible that you hold between your hands. If you're not "hearing Him" then maybe your expectation of what hearing Him is is flawed.

[saras-devotionals]

Quiet Time 9/10

What am I feeling today?

Pretty tired😅 I start nursing clinical again this morning and I didn’t get to sleep as early as I wanted to last night. But! That’s because my family wanted to celebrate my birthday🥹 they bought a tiny cake and made my favorite food and sang happy birthday to me. I felt a little bad bc I was practically gone all day with school and errands and only got to spend an hour with them and today I’ll be gone for a while too ☹️ but I love and appreciate them and honestly kinda felt a bit overwhelmed from all the birthday love yesterday😅

JOB 31 NIV

‭‭Job‬ ‭31‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For what is our lot from God above, our heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong? Does he not see my ways and count my every step?”

Basically what Job is saying here is that God sees everything that we do and we cannot hide anything from Him. Therefore if we act in wicked ways (any way that goes against His desire for us) then the lot as a result is ruin and disaster.

Keep in mind this is Old Testament, but it still applies to us if we do not repent.

Practical: confess to sin to other people in your life to hold you accountable and repent of it!

‭‭Job‬ ‭31‬:‭5‬-‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit— let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless— if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled, then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted. “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been wicked, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest. “If I have denied justice to any of my servants, whether male or female, when they had a grievance against me, what will I do when God confronts me? What will I answer when called to account? Did not he who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? “If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless— but from my youth I reared them as a father would, and from my birth I guided the widow— if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing, or the needy without garments, and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court, then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let it be broken off at the joint. For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendor I could not do such things. “If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained, if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor, so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage, then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high. “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him— I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life— if those of my household have never said, ‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’— but no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler— if I have concealed my sin as people do, by hiding my guilt in my heart because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the clans that I kept silent and would not go outside— (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)— “if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears, if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants, then let briers come up instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.”

Here Job is going on to list all these things and that if he ever committed a certain sin or didn’t act accordingly in a righteous way, then yes he deserves the judgment and punishment for those sins.

A list of what he spoke of that still applies to us:

Walk in falsehood and deceit

Stepping away from the “path”

Letting our hearts be led by our eyes

Hands being defiled

Heart being enticed by another woman

Denying justice to his servants

Deny the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary

Keeping bread to himself and not sharing it with orphans

Not warming the needy by withholding clothes/garments

Putting his trust in money

Worship the sun or the moon (astrology)

Rejoiced or gloated in an enemy’s misfortune

Cursing against someone

Concealing his sin

Using something without payment

Practical: to be mindful of all these things and to be sure that we don’t fall victim to these acts! We must act accordingly by God’s standard even though it can be incredibly difficult or desire to do the opposite 🙏🏼

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Man is not neutral, and man is not inherently good!

There seems to be this philosophy that to reduce criminal activity, all one needs to do is give people a great environment, freedom to do what they want, and use counseling. But there’s a massive problem. This is how Jeremiah states the problem:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick [wicked]; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Mark tells us, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:21–23).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

The point is that Christians should understand that man’s heart is not neutral. We are biased against God. In fact, because we sinned in Adam, our sin nature is really summed up by Genesis 3:1 (“did God actually say”) and Genesis 3:5 (“you will be like God”). Thus, our nature is we don’t want to obey God; we want to be our own god and be a law unto ourselves.

So what does this all mean? Well, the answer to the world’s troubles is the truth of God’s Word and the saving gospel. Until people trust God’s Word and trust Christ for salvation and build their thinking on God’s Word, the problems of the world can’t be solved. That’s why it is vital we stand on and proclaim the truth of God’s Word and the gospel without compromise.

~ Ken Ham

[hiswordsarekisses]

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ~ “My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you,” Proverbs‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭11‬ ~ “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬

[christianwisdomseeker]

Just because you "feel it in your heart" doesn't make it right. Our hearts are wicked.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Jeremiah 17:9 For the longest time I felt in MY heart, sexual attraction to people of the same gender as me. I was in a relationship with another male for a full year. Those sexual feelings and desires I had WERE very much real.

But I overcame it. I had to break apart that perverse relationship. The Bible is VERY clear that homosexuality is a horrible evil. God destroyed two entire nations because of it.

Those thoughts still linger in my mind. They do. I still struggle with homosexuality, but it has been easier to deal with as time passes.

You were not born this way, this doesn't have to be a part of you. You can break free and run from it. God hates your sin but He loves you, and any Christian who tries to break you down because you struggle with this sin. Your sin doesn't build you. YOU build your own sin. And you can break it down too. God will smile and rejoice with you in your victories.

[generouspersonamano]

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)

Just as in modern languages, ancient Hebrew used the term “heart” to mean the inward motivations that control a person’s words and deeds. According to the prophet Jeremiah, the spiritual heart is so innately wicked and deceptive that one cannot even understand his own heart—but God does!

One urgently needs a new heart, and God promises just that. “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). “This is the covenant that I will make with them...saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts” (Hebrews 10:16).

The problem, of course, is heart attitude. In the third chapter of Hebrews, this is illustrated in terms of the attitudes of the children of Israel in the wilderness. First, their hearts had become hard hearts through their lack of gratitude, and three times the author warns us to “harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7). As a result, they soon acquired erring hearts. “They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known My ways” (Hebrews 3:10). Finally, their hearts were evil hearts, and God would warn us through them. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

An evil heart is defined here, in effect, as an unbelieving heart. A heart that refuses to receive and believe the Word of God is a wicked heart, inevitably generating wicked ways and evil doings. But Christ will create a new heart for all who will believe on Him and confess Him as God and Savior. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness” (Romans 10:9-10)

[christianbelievers]

IF YOU WERE GOD

Last night I was watching a journalist recording his news story in front of the hotel where he was staying. He was in Israel covering the war. As he was speaking, a few people walked in and out of the hotel. They were nicely dressed and walking casually as if they were heading out for dinner, or shopping. But it struck me a little strange, as Israel is currently in a war for its very survival.

I think of the Vietnam and Korean wars, the 1st and 2nd world wars, the twin towers attack, and so many other times and places where people feared for their lives, even to the point of hiding in their own homes. In Nigeria, people are looking for food, water, and shelter all while being hunted down just because they call themselves Christians.

But when I saw those people casually walking by the camera last night, it reminded me of another time, a time when people were going about their day to day routine as if everything was just fine and dandy, yet oblivious to the devastation that was just around the corner. Jesus told us about that time…

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:37-42)

God had become remorseful that He had created mankind. The world had become violent and wicked.

“The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”

(Genesis 6:5)

That’s why He sent the flood. But thanks to Noah, God would try once more. But it wasn’t long after that, that a man named Lot came along, and the process started all over again. Wickedness and evil eventually slithered out of its hole and began to corrupt the world once again.

“Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land.

But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

(Genesis 18:20-21 and 19:24-26)

"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.”

"It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:28-30)

Is it the same today, as it was in the days of Noah and Lot? If those people walking by the camera were any indication, I would say yes. But it’s not just there in Israel, it’s all over the world, including the United States.

If you look around the world, where you live and otherwise, what do you see? Do you see evil getting bolder? Do you see evil things being considered good, and things that used to be considered good now being called bad? I’ll give you a quick example…just a few days ago the Pope said, “Yes, there are some rogues and sinners, but the heart itself is good.” WRONG! The Bible says…

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV)

If you were God, how would you compare today with the days of Lot and Noah?

Noah’s time: “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”

Lot’s time: "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me.”

Well, God said that “every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” And that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was “so great and their sin so grievous.”

Of all the people on the Earth at that time, only Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. In Sodom and Gomorrah, only Lot, his two daughters, and his wife were spared the fire and sulfur that rained down from Heaven. But after being warned not to look back, Lot’s wife did…and she perished…becoming a pillar of salt.

Why was Lot’s wife turned into salt? First of all, the Lord’s angels had given them the warning not to look back. So, her being disobedient to God’s command probably caused His wrath to overcome her along with Sodom and Gomorrah.

An interesting note about this passage: When the angels told them that it was time to go, they had to take hold of Lot and his family…

“But he lingered; and the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.” (Genesis 19:16)

Lot and his family were hesitant to leave with the angels…why? They may not have believe that God would totally destroy the area. Or they thought of friends and things that would have to be left behind.

We’re prone to do the same things. We don’t like to act until we have to. We don’t want to just leave our home and all our memories. But there comes a point when you have to leave a burning house. Staying is not going to make the fire go out. It’s called being saved.

Since 2017, many Christians have been looking for the Lords return. They’ve been looking at all sorts of dates and events that might give a clue as to when exactly this is going to occur.

Some have gone back to their old thinking of “It’s been 2000 years, it’ll probably be another 2000  before He comes back.” It could be, but I highly doubt it. The times are very much like they were in the days of Noah and Lot. Where the dividing line is, none of us know. But we do know that we were told to watch and be ready for the Lords return. And that’s one thing that I don’t see a lot of Christians doing.

It's time to stop hesitating and get serious about our Lord. He is not an Easter/Christmas God. He is a 24/7 God. He is constantly watching over us and providing for us. Are we taking the time to thank Him for that each day?

Our God deserves the best that we can give Him. I personally know that I don’t give Him as much of myself as I want. But I’m human…and He understands that. But I think there is one thing that we all have to be leery of doing, and that is being hesitant, like Lot and his family. It cost his wife her life.

We need to truly ask ourselves, our we living for God, or just showing up according to a scheduled appointment like Sunday’s, Easter, and Christmas? Don’t look back at the world once you’ve asked Jesus to be your Savior. He paid with his life to save you. And He did it because He loves you. I think we forget that sometimes…that He loved us so much that He gave his life for ours.

Well, I’ve said enough for now. But I will leave you with one last thought. September 23rd of this year will mark the seven year mark as to when the Revelation 12 sign appeared in the stars. Noah and his family were shut in the ark for seven days before the flood waters began. The number seven stands for perfection, or completion. Perhaps this seven year warning/waiting time is about over and we can go home.

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” (1st Thessalonians 5:1-6)

[sims-half-crazy]

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” — Jeremiah 17:9

[lilgreeneyes71]

Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,7:22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:7:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:15:20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

[liuisi]

hm.

[uhroras]

⠀⠀  𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃   :      𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘇

𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 .   no one, it’s my creation

𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 .   tba

𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐚      ,      despised from the moment you were born for something beyond your control. a cursed fate. wickedness thrust upon you. defending the defenceless. a gift as a curse. monochromatic looks. talented beyond compare. pointed hats. soaring across the sky. sensible shoes. dark tones. opening yourself back up. the weight of the world on your shoulders. dignity in the face of discrimination. animals as companions.

𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚      ,      choosing safety over sorority.   floating above all others. flimsy as a bubble. choosing good in the end.   mourning the wicked.   tossing your hair. the soulmate that was never meant to be. giant featherbeds. popularity as a weapon. fluttery gowns and sparkling crowns. the weight of the crown. practically perfect. betraying your own heart.

𝐟𝐢𝐲𝐞𝐫𝐨      ,      dancing through life. mindless and careless. the perfect prince charming. corrupting your peers. following your heart in the end. callowness as a defence mechanism. shadows of past regrets. a field of red poppies. who you want to be contradicts who you are meant to be. destiny is not written in stone. lavish attire fit for royalty. dancing all through the night.

𝐛𝐨𝐪      ,      guiltless to the end.  caring little for the consequences of your actions. craving that which is not yours. desiring revenge above all else. struggling to find your place. always the victim. if you only had a heart. clinging to your school days above all else.

𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞      ,      turning a blind eye.   the dutiful daughter. finding your own autonomy. those who start out the sweetest can be the cruelest in the end. unrequited love. silver slippers. anger festering within your heart. scorned affections. clinging to the last thing you have of your mother's. blood does not make a family. power is corrupting.

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝      ,      deceit hidden behind fatherly gaze.  the corruption starts at the top. sentiment as a strategy. hiding behind clever disguises. ruling over all in the land. betraying all those who hold you dear. travelling from a distant land. living in the highest tower. granting wishes.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Morning and Evening

by Charles Spurgeon

"Ye that love the Lord hate evil." – Psalm 97:10

Thou hast good reason to "hate evil," for only consider what harm it has already wrought thee. Oh, what a world of mischief sin has brought into thy heart! Sin blinded thee so that thou couldst not see the beauty of the Saviour; it made thee deaf so that thou couldst not hear the Redeemer's tender invitations. Sin turned thy feet into the way of death, and poured poison into the very fountain of thy being; it tainted thy heart, and made it "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Oh, what a creature thou wast when evil had done its utmost with thee, before divine grace interposed! Thou wast an heir of wrath even as others; thou didst "run with the multitude to do evil." Such were all of us; but Paul reminds us, "but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." We have good reason, indeed, for hating evil when we look back and trace its deadly workings. Such mischief did evil do us, that our souls would have been lost had not omnipotent love interfered to redeem us. Even now it is an active enemy, ever watching to do us hurt, and to drag us to perdition. Therefore "hate evil," O Christians, unless you desire trouble. If you would strew your path with thorns, and plant nettles in your death-pillow, then neglect to "hate evil:" but if you would live a happy life, and die a peaceful death, then walk in all the ways of holiness, hating evil, even unto the end. If you truly love your Saviour, and would honor him, then "hate evil." We know of no cure for the love of evil in a Christian like abundant intercourse with the Lord Jesus. Dwell much with him, and it is impossible for you to be at peace with sin.

"Order my footsteps by thy Word, And make my heart sincere; Let sin have no dominion, Lord, But keep my conscience clear."

[churcvh]

“the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Jeremiah 17:9 | abandoned house in Atlanta, Georgia

[blxxdysxn]

“For the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” -T.S. Eliot

[pugzman3]

Jeremiah 17:4-10

4 And thou, even thyself, shalt discontinue from thine heritage that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine enemies in the land which thou knowest not: for ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn for ever. 5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. 6 For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited. 7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. 8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. 9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

[perseus-veil]

jeremiah 17:9 the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?