The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?
7 The righteous lead blameless lives;
blessed are their children after them.
8 When a king sits on his throne to judge,
he winnows out all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”?
Actions Show Intent
Selfless actions are rare and precious. Sometimes people do things that cost them and for which they can receive no reward. Often people play a game at being ‘nice’ so that if they scratch others’ backs, their back will in turn be scratched. In this internet age we can realise our dreams of anonymity. We can be the fly on the wall, we can be hidden behind a false name and so the true corruption in our hearts is easy to know. Some people who see our public persona think us virtuous and kind, but in private we descend into darkness. The key to a good heart is the pursuit of God. God cleanses and reforms our lives from the inside out. It is a process and not a single event. However, when we look at a life with God we should see cleaner and purer motives over the years.
Questions
- What does a person of understanding draw out of others?
- Who are blessed by a righteous man?
- How can eyes winnow out evil?
- Why are so many people ‘nice’ in ways that are actually dark?
- Why has selflessness become less popular?
Plymothian 