Jeremiah 17:9 says of our hearts: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” What else does the Lord and the Bible have to say on our deceitful human hearts – that we may learn and know?

 

I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! ¹

The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He. ²

He who disciplines the nations, does He not rebuke? He who teaches man knowledge, the LORD, knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath. ³

…. For He knows the secrets of the heart. ⁴

For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. ⁵

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ⁶

I, the LORD, search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds. ⁷

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. ⁸

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways; and My thoughts than your thoughts. ⁹

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ¹⁰

Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹²

There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves. ¹³

And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. ¹⁴

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! ¹⁵

And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! ¹⁶

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. ¹⁷

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. ¹⁸

He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. ¹⁹

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favour and honour. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. ²⁰

O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You. ²¹

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ²²

They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. ²³

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green. ²⁴

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. ²⁵

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, so that He may establish your hearts, blameless in holiness, before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. ²⁶

To God be the blessing, the glory, the honour and praise.

Amen and Amen!

 

1 Deuteronomy 32:3	14 Hebrews 4:13
2 Deuteronomy 32:4	15 Psalm 139:23
3 Psalms 94:10-11	16 Psalm 139:24
4 Psalm 44:21	17 Psalm 139:2
5 Psalm 44:21	18 Psalm 139:3
6 Job 34:21	19 Job 23:10
7 Jeremiah 17:9	20 Psalm 84:11
8 Isaiah 55:8	21 Psalm 84:12
9 Isaiah 55:9	22 Psalm 92:12
10 Romans 12:2	23 Psalm 92:13
11 Ephesians 5:8-10	24 Psalm 92:14
12 Ephesians 5:11	25 James 1:12
13 Job 34:22	26 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13