Proverbs 20.9

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart; I am pure and free from sin”? [Proverbs 20.9]

There was more than one reference to the heart in today's OYCB reading. Here are a couple more:

Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart. [Proverbs 20.30]

People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. [Proverbs 21.2]

It is very clear that man's heart is a real problem. I will point out something said in the book of Jeremiah:

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [Jeremiah 17.9]

How could anyone who believes the Bible ever think it would be right to just "follow your heart"?

Proverbs 20.30 above gives us a clue as to when our heart is misleading us and we may or may not know it. Physical punishment. To understand physical punishment, one only has to read Deuteronomy 28 relative to "curses." Much of what is described as "curses" in Deuteronomy 28 is physical.

It is not difficult then to understand then what happened to Job! His "trials" were terribly physical! And, what then surfaced in the end of the story? Pride in Job's heart for which God severely rebuked him and Job was left no option except to repent!

Here is the BIG question God asked Job:

“Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? [Job 40.8]

You see, Job could really have used some scripture from Proverbs! Particularly Proverbs 20.9; Proverbs 20.30; and Proverbs 21.2!

So what should we as humans do in the midst of physical "punishment" (curses as Deuteronomy 28 describes physical suffering and loss)?

We should ask God to reveal our heart motives and REPENT because curses are God's justice upon sin!

Again, 

“Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? [Job 40.8]

Oh how unpopular what I am saying here is! Some will even call me heretic! But none can legitimately refute what God's Word says about this topic!

May our eyes be opened to the Truth of God's Word! And may our lives respond accordingly!

Father, forgive me because I so want to think I know what is in my heart and declare myself innocent. But Your Word is clear and true, my physical pain is all the evidence I need to know that wickedness and deceit are at work in my heart. Reveal to deepest darkest pride and arrogance in me so that I might be cleansed and healed. I ask that You consider Jesus' work on my behalf. I repent so that faith might have its perfect work both in and through me.