Tag Archives: Christian Living

Discernment

God-Given Discernment

The Lamp of Conscience and the Love That Compels

Beloved, you who are called by His name, listen—

For the Lord searches not the surface, but the soul. He weighs the heart. He pierces between thought and intention. And He has placed within you a flame, small yet sacred—your God-given discernment. It is the lamp of conscience. It is the witness of the Spirit that testifies when truth walks by, and when lies disguise themselves as light.

Let your conscience not grow dull. Let your flame not flicker. Tend it, O child of God, and awaken to the fear of the Lord, for it is the beginning of wisdom and the secret path to His presence.

The Fear of the Lord Makes You See

We know the fear of the Lord—not as dread, but as delight. It is the trembling awe of standing before the Holy One, the I AM, the consuming fire. It is the heart bowed low in worship, lips trembling with obedience, soul stilled in reverence. And because we know His holiness, we cannot stay silent. We urge others to be reconciled to Him, because we ourselves have been pierced by His truth.

He sees us, beloved. We are plainly known to God (2 Corinthians 5:11, AMP). Nothing is hidden from His eyes. And now I ask you: do we live plainly before one another, before your conscience—your God-given discernment—that voice inside you that the Spirit has sanctified? Can you feel the pull of His Spirit within you even now, calling you closer?

Cast Off Appearances—Come Into the Light

Do not be like those who boast in outward things. They decorate themselves with religion, but their hearts are far. They speak of virtue, but know not the One who is holy. You, however, are not called to walk by sight. You are called to walk by the fire of discernment, fed by the oil of His Spirit.

The world will mock you. They called Paul mad. They will call you strange. But let your conscience be ruled not by their voices, but by the voice of the Shepherd. If we are out of our minds, let it be for God. If we are steady, it is for your strengthening (v.13).

Love Is the Fire That Consumes the Self

Hear this—the love of Christ controls and compels us (v.14). This love is not weak. It is not shallow. It is not selfish. It is consuming, jealous, holy, and eternal. It burns away all lesser loves. And it becomes the reason we no longer live for ourselves.

Yeshua died for all, and so we count ourselves already dead. We have no right to our own lives anymore. We belong to the One who rose again. Therefore, we live not for comfort, not for applause, not for success, but for Him who died and was raised for our sake (v.15).

O soul, are you still living for yourself? Lay it down. Die to it. Let His love compel you, let His flame consume the old. Let Him teach your conscience to beat with His burden and burn with His purpose.

Keep the Lamp Burning

There was a lampstand in the temple, made of pure gold, fed by oil, tended daily. That lamp never went out. It gave light to the priests in the holy place. That is your God-given discernment. It is your conscience lit by the Holy Spirit. If you neglect it, it will flicker. If you grieve Him, it will dim.

Tend it with prayer. Clean it with repentance. Feed it with the Word. Guard it with obedience. Let nothing unclean cross your heart without confession. The fear of the Lord will keep the fire burning. The love of Yeshua will make it blaze.

A Call to Walk Closer

You cannot walk near to the Lord with a numb conscience. You cannot follow Him with a heart half-alive. Come closer. Let the fire of discernment expose what’s false in you and what’s real in Him. Live for the Audience of One. Let His gaze be enough. Let His Spirit guide your every step.

This is not a time for shallow living. This is a time to burn. This is the hour to awaken your conscience and walk boldly in truth. God-given discernment is your gift, your guard, and your guide. Receive it, protect it, and live by it.

⸻

Prayer:

O Holy One,

Light the lamp within me. Let my conscience burn with Your truth. Awaken me from shallow living. Make me tremble again at Your Word. Teach me to live no longer for myself, but for Yeshua, who died and rose for me. Let the fire of the fear of the Lord burn in my bones. Let the love of Christ compel me forward. I surrender my heart to You—search me, know me, purify me. Let my life shine as a lamp in the holy place. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

⸻

See Also

Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a Person

Do you truly know who the Holy Spirit is? If you’ve ever mistaken Him for a feeling, a force, or a sudden burst of energy, you’re not alone. Many believers are confused about the identity of the Holy Spirit. But today, let’s clear away the confusion and anchor our understanding in Scripture: the Holy Spirit is a Person.

“Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, NASB). This simple yet sobering command carries weight. You can’t quench a force. You can’t grieve an emotion. But you can hurt, silence, or shut out a Person—and that’s exactly what we risk when we misunderstand or ignore the Holy Spirit.

Spell this out in your heart: THE HOLY SPIRIT IS A PERSON. He is not enthusiasm. He is not courage. He is not the personification of goodness. The Holy Spirit is not an “it”—He is God. He has a will (1 Corinthians 12:11), speaks (Acts 13:2), loves (Romans 15:30), intercedes (Romans 8:26), and can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30). He knows. He feels. He leads.

Jesus spoke of the Spirit as “another Helper”—the Greek word Parakletos, meaning advocate or counselor—“that He may be with you forever” (John 14:16, NASB). The Son promised One like Himself, not a mere power surge from heaven. And just as we would never treat Yeshua as a nameless force, we must not reduce the Holy Spirit to an emotional experience or a vague sense of conviction.

To quench the Spirit is to resist His leading, to silence His voice, or to shut Him out of your daily decisions. Imagine Him as a guest in your home, present and willing to help, but ignored. Or worse—treated with suspicion and skepticism. Can a guest like that stay long? The Holy Spirit desires intimacy, not toleration. He seeks fellowship, not mere acknowledgment.

Paul writes, “Now we have received… the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12, NASB). You are not meant to walk in confusion, trying to “feel” your way through your faith. You are invited to commune with the Person of the Holy Spirit, to hear His voice, receive His comfort, and follow His direction.

This truth will change your walk: the Holy Spirit is not waiting for your perfection—He is waiting for your invitation. He is not fragile, but He is holy. He is not distant, but He will not force Himself into a life that will not listen. Don’t quench Him by busyness, by sin, or by doubt. Welcome Him.

Right now, stop and ask yourself: Am I treating the Holy Spirit like a Person? Do I listen for His voice? Do I make room for His presence? Do I respond when He convicts, prompts, or encourages?

The Holy Spirit is a Person. And He desires to walk with you, speak to you, and fill you with the life of God every day. He is not an “it” to be controlled. He is God to be worshiped, Friend to be loved, and Guide to be followed.

Prayer

Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit of God, forgive me for treating You as less than who You are. I welcome You—not as a feeling, but as a Person. Speak to me. Lead me. Fill my life with Your presence and power. Teach me to walk in step with You and to never quench Your voice. I want deep, intimate fellowship with You. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

See Also

Personal Holiness

Gentle Over Angry

God’s Answer to Wrath

“Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19–20, NASB

Beloved, hear me now: anger will never do what only the Spirit can. Rage may stir your flesh, but it cannot produce righteousness. The wrath of man builds walls, not altars. It divides, devours, and destroys—but God’s answer to wrath is not more wrath. It is gentleness. It is the quiet strength of the Lamb who could have called down fire, but instead bowed low and washed feet.

This is the great reversal of the Kingdom. While the world justifies fury and applauds revenge, God exalts the meek. The Son of God stood silent before accusers, not because He lacked power, but because He was filled with the Spirit. His gentleness shook the gates of hell and opened the door to eternal life. And now, you are called to walk in that same Spirit.

Wrath is not strength. Gentleness is. Do not believe the lie that anger gives you control. The truth is, when anger reigns, you have already lost control. What begins as frustration quickly becomes fire. It spreads through relationships, scorches your peace, and quenches the Spirit. But when you choose gentleness, you invite God’s hand to move. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1, NASB

Imagine a blacksmith forging a weapon. With every strike, he controls his fire. If the flame runs too hot, the metal warps. If it grows cold, it hardens before it’s ready. Only by skillfully managing the heat can he shape the blade. This is what God calls you to—meekness under the Spirit’s control. You are not to be cold and silent, nor are you to boil over in fury. You are to be tempered by the fire of Heaven and formed into a vessel of peace.

Look to Yeshua, who drove out moneychangers not with rage, but with zeal for His Father’s house. Look to Moses, described as the meekest man on earth, who interceded even for those who grumbled against him. Look to Stephen, stoned by a mob, yet praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” That is the power of God at work—gentleness over anger, mercy over wrath.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9, NASB

God’s answer to wrath is a transformed heart, not a controlled temper. It is not enough to count to ten or bite your tongue. The root of anger must be surrendered. Bring it to the cross. Let the fire of His holiness consume every grudge, every harsh word, every memory that still ignites your flesh. Only the blood of the Lamb can quiet the storm within you.

Ask yourself: Does your anger serve God’s purpose—or your pride? Does it defend righteousness—or just your reputation? Lay it down. All of it. Be done with harshness, sarcasm, outbursts, and the spirit of offense. Let El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, be your defense. He sees. He judges righteously. He repays.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31–32, NASB

God’s answer to wrath is not weakness—it is divine strength under perfect control. The Spirit of God leads you to respond with patience, to listen with compassion, and to speak peace over chaos. This is not natural. It is supernatural. It comes from abiding in the presence of El Elyon, being filled daily with His Word, and refusing to be mastered by emotion.

This world is burning with anger. But you, beloved, are called to burn with holiness. Choose gentleness—not to appease man, but to reflect the heart of your Father in Heaven. Let the world see something different in you. Let them encounter the power of a quieted spirit, anchored in God, unmoved by offense.

Prayer

Father, I surrender my anger at Your feet. Forgive me for every time I acted out of wrath and not love. Cleanse my heart. Fill me with the Spirit of gentleness. Make me a peacemaker. Teach me to respond as Yeshua did—with truth, but never with hate. I reject the lie that anger will accomplish what only Your Spirit can. Let my words bring healing. Let my presence carry peace. Let my life reflect the quiet strength of Heaven. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

⸻

Key Takeaways for God’s Answer to Wrath:

  • Human anger cannot produce the righteousness of God.
  • Gentleness is not weakness—it is the strength of the Spirit under control.
  • Meekness invites God’s power to move where wrath only causes damage.
  • Choose to be a peacemaker in a world ruled by rage.

Do not let anger define your witness. Let gentleness mark your life. God’s answer to wrath is not found in shouting louder—it’s found in kneeling lower.

See Also

Church

The Church Is God’s Dwelling Place

Where Heaven Touches Earth

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
—Matthew 18:20 (NASB)

In every generation, the Church has stood as a light in the darkness, where God’s presence meets human hearts. The Church is God’s dwelling place, not because of its architecture or rituals, but because the living God has chosen to abide amid His people. This truth changes everything. The Church is not just a religious organization—it is the very habitation of El Shaddai, built on the foundation of Yeshua the Messiah and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “You also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22, NASB). This is not symbolic language. It is literal and eternal. The Church is God’s dwelling place, where Heaven touches earth. It is not one good institution among many; it is the only one birthed directly by the will of God, designed to reflect His holiness, proclaim His gospel, and carry His glory.

Divided Yet Divine

The skeptic may ask, “Which church do you mean? Aren’t Christians divided?” Yes, denominations abound. But the true Church transcends every man-made label. The Church is God’s dwelling place wherever the Holy Spirit has gathered hearts that are surrendered to Yeshua, washed by His blood, and devoted to worshiping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

We see her in the underground churches of persecuted lands. We hear her prayers in hospital rooms, prison cells, and quiet homes. She gathers in storefronts and cathedrals, barns, and basements. Wherever two or three are gathered in His name, there He is—Yeshua in the midst—validating the gathering as holy ground. (Matthew 18:20, NASB)

The Power and Purpose of the Church

The Church is not perfect. Those inside her walls know this better than anyone. We grieve her shortcomings and weep over her compromises, but we also believe in her future because God is not finished with her. Yeshua declared, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18, NASB). That promise still stands.

The Church is God’s dwelling place, His house of prayer for all nations (Isaiah 56:7). She is the Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7), being prepared for the return of the Bridegroom. She is the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). When she functions in purity and unity, she becomes a channel of healing to a broken world, a refuge for the lost, and a launchpad for revival.

God Dwells Among His People

From the tabernacle in the wilderness to the upper room in Acts 2, God has always desired to dwell among His people. He says in 2 Corinthians 6:16 (NASB), “I will dwell among them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” That same Spirit who filled the temple now fills His Church. Not the stone structure, but the living stones—you and me (1 Peter 2:5). The Church is where God dwells among His people.

When we gather with hearts fully yielded and worship with reverence and faith, the King of Glory walks into the room. The Church is God’s dwelling place—His holy habitation on earth.

Let us not forsake her, treat her lightly, or abandon her mission. Instead, may we press in deeper, purify ourselves of the world, and live as a people set apart for the presence of God.

Prayer:

Holy Father, awaken Your Church to her holy calling. Let her not be swayed by the world or silenced by fear. Fill her afresh with Your Holy Spirit. May every gathering be marked by Your presence, and may we, as Your people, live holy and blameless before You. Let the gospel go forth boldly from pulpits and from hearts, from city streets to distant nations. Dwell among us, O Lord, and make Your name known. In the name of Yeshua the Messiah we pray, Amen.

See Also

Personal Holiness, Sin

Humbled to Rise

Defeating the Pride of Life

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. – 1 John 2:15, NASB

Brother, sister—hear me. This is not a word of condemnation, but a call to awaken. There is a sin that hides in plain sight, a spiritual cancer that often disguises itself as strength, success, or self-confidence. It is the pride of life. This sin does not shout—it whispers. But those whispers grow into lies that lead you far from the presence of El Elyon, the Most High God.

The pride of life tells you that you are enough without God. It causes you to depend on your own wisdom, your own strength, and your own reputation. Over time, it builds a wall between you and the Lord. Pride makes people think they don’t need God. It turns churches into stages for human praise instead of places where the glory of El Elyon is worshiped. It shifts the focus from the throne of Heaven to the applause of men. And that shift, beloved, is deadly.

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6, NASB

You were not created to be independent from your Maker. You were formed from the dust, and it is only by the breath of Yahweh that you live. The way of the Kingdom is not like the world’s way. The world says, “Lift yourself up.” But God says, “Bow down, and I will lift you.” To defeat the pride of life, you must choose the lower road—the road of humility.

Let me tell you a story. There was a skilled craftsman, admired by many for the beauty of his work. One day, a curious boy asked him, “How did you become so great?” The man smiled gently and said, “I only became great when I stopped trying to be. I surrendered my talent to God. I asked Him to shape the work of my hands, and it became His, not mine.” That is the secret. When you humble yourself, God takes over—and what He builds will last.

You were not saved to impress men—you were redeemed to reflect the holiness of Yeshua. Defeating the pride of life begins with surrender. You must choose, daily, to lay down your ego, your rights, your desire to be seen. You must become like the Lamb—silent, obedient, and wholly dependent on the will of the Father.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3, NASB

Defeating the pride of life is not a single decision—it is a lifestyle. It is choosing the cross daily. It is remembering that every breath you breathe is mercy. It is standing before God, not with your résumé, but with your hands lifted in worship. The humble will see God. The proud will resist Him and fall. Let us be those who fall on our knees now, so we may rise with Him in glory.

⸻

Prayer:

Father, I humble myself before You now. I confess the pride that has crept into my heart—every thought that made me feel sufficient apart from You. I surrender my plans, my gifts, and my desire to be noticed. I choose the way of the cross. Let me be poor in spirit, that I may be rich in Your Kingdom. Lift me up only when I have bowed low before You. Be glorified, not me. Be praised, not my name. Let me rise only by Your hand, and for Your glory. In the name of Yeshua, amen.

⸻

Key Takeaways for Defeating the Pride of Life:

  • Pride of life distances us from God, but humility draws us close.
  • God resists the proud but pours grace on the humble.
  • Daily surrender is the key to true spiritual authority.
  • Humility opens the door to revival and the presence of El Shaddai.

Let your heart burn not for applause, but for His glory. Let your life become an altar where pride dies and holiness rises. It is time to bow low—so you can rise in Him.

See Also

Personal Holiness, Sin

Mastering the Flesh

Replacing Lust with Self-Control

Lust is a fire that consumes without ever satisfying. It stirs within the fallen nature, promising pleasure but delivering bondage. The world celebrates lust as freedom, but the Word of God reveals the truth: lust enslaves the soul. And yet, we are not left defenseless. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called to walk in holiness, mastering the flesh and replacing lust with self-control.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 (NASB)

To master the flesh is to choose surrender over struggle, discipline over desire, and intimacy with God over indulgence in sin. We must understand that lust is not just physical—it’s spiritual. It is rebellion against the order of God, a longing for fulfillment apart from Him. The flesh says, “Take what you crave.” But the Spirit whispers, “Wait on the Lord.”

A War We All Face

No believer is exempt from this battle. Even Paul confessed the tension in his own body: “For I do not do the good I want, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” — Romans 7:19 (NASB). The war between flesh and Spirit rages daily. But God gives us weapons to fight.

To master the flesh:

  1. Guard your eyes – What you allow through your eyes reaches your heart. Shut the door to temptation.
  2. Renew your mind – Replace distorted thoughts with the truth of Scripture. Fill your mind with God’s Word.
  3. Flee temptation – Don’t linger in the presence of sin. Run with holy urgency.
  4. Fast and pray – Teach your flesh to submit through spiritual discipline and intimacy with God.

Illustration: Joseph Ran

When Potiphar’s wife cornered Joseph with seductive intent, he didn’t entertain the thought. He didn’t weigh the consequences or try to pray in the moment of temptation. “But he left his garment in her hand and fled, and went outside.” — Genesis 39:12 (NASB).

He ran. Why? Because Joseph feared God more than he feared man. He knew staying even a second longer would be a second too long. In fleeing temptation, he preserved something far more valuable than his reputation—his righteousness.

You may lose something when you flee—a position, an opportunity, the admiration of others—but you gain what cannot be bought: a clean conscience before God. Joseph lost his garment, but he kept his purity. And God raised him up in due time.

Fleeing isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. When lust comes knocking, run. Don’t reason with it. Don’t try to prove your strength. Don’t linger and pray that the feeling fades. Flee. And in your running, run straight to El Shaddai, your refuge and strength.

Replacing Lust with Self-Control

“Now as for you, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness…” — 1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB)

Lust can’t be managed—it must be crucified. And self-control is not the absence of desire but the redirection of desire toward God. When we walk in self-control, we’re saying, “I trust God’s timing. I believe His ways are better than mine.” That trust produces peace.

Self-control is not behavior modification. It is Spirit transformation. It grows in the soil of surrender. It blooms when we delight in the Lord more than in our impulses. It’s not about being less human—it’s about becoming more like Yeshua, who was tempted in every way, yet without sin.

The one who replaces lust with self-control learns to enjoy the beauty of purity, the strength of obedience, and the freedom of walking in the light. Every time you say no to the flesh, you’re saying yes to something greater—the fullness of life in the presence of God.

You Were Made to Walk in Freedom

You are not a prisoner to your cravings. If Yeshua lives in you, the chains have already been broken. The flesh may shout, but the Spirit empowers. It is possible to walk in victory. But you must be intentional. You must guard your gates, feed your spirit, and run from sin.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age.” — Titus 2:11–12 (NASB)

Grace does not excuse lust—it teaches us to overcome it. God is holy, and He calls you to be holy. He will never leave you to fight alone. When you fall, get back up. When you’re weak, call on His strength. When the fire of temptation rises, run—because victory waits on the other side of obedience.

⸻

Prayer

Abba Father, I come before You confessing my weakness. I cannot master the flesh without Your Spirit. I renounce every craving that sets itself against Your will, and I choose to flee temptation like Joseph. Fill me with power to walk in self-control. Make me pure in thought, pure in heart, and pure in action. Let the fire of Your holiness burn away every impure desire. Teach me to crave Your presence more than pleasure, and help me walk in victory every day. I want more of You, Lord, and less of me. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

See Also

Personal Holiness

Eyes of Contentment

Introduction to the Series

This article marks the beginning of a 12-part series called “From Struggle to Strength: Overcoming Sin Through Christ.” Each piece will shine a biblical light on one of the everyday sins that quietly entangle our hearts and hinder our walk with God. From pride to fear, from lust to laziness, we will not only expose the subtle power of these sins—but also reveal the victorious path God has laid out for us to overcome them through His truth, Spirit, and grace.

We begin with the lust of the eyes, a sin as ancient as Eden and as modern as your phone screen. Through Scripture, practical wisdom, and the hope we have in Yeshua, this series will help you fight sin not with shame—but with freedom. Let us walk this journey together, fixing our eyes on the One who makes us whole.

Overcoming the Lust of the Eyes

Do you often find yourself chasing after what you see—desiring newer things, better possessions, or the lifestyles others portray? You’re not alone. The lust of the eyes affects us all, subtly shaping our desires and leaving us restless and dissatisfied. But the good news is, by focusing on contentment in God, you can start overcoming the lust of the eyes.

From the very start, humanity has wrestled with this struggle. Eve’s temptation began when she saw fruit that appeared desirable (Genesis 3:6 NASB). That one look opened the door to sin, dissatisfaction, and sorrow. In today’s digital age, the temptation is amplified as we’re constantly shown idealized images that stir envy and discontent. By recognizing these triggers, you can take the first step toward overcoming the lust of the eyes.

Yet God calls you to something greater: contentment. True contentment doesn’t depend on external circumstances or possessions. As the Apostle Paul wisely said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” (Philippians 4:11 NASB). Paul didn’t stumble into this peace; he actively pursued it. You can, too, by overcoming the desires of the eyes.

To overcome the lust of the eyes, you must intentionally shift your focus from temporary pleasures to eternal treasures. Fix your gaze on Jesus (Yeshua), the one who fulfills every genuine need. Pray earnestly with the psalmist, “Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless, and revive me in Your ways” (Psalm 119:37 NASB).

Here are three practical steps to cultivate contentment and overcome the lust of the eyes:

  1. Control Your Vision: Limit exposure to things that trigger envy or dissatisfaction, choosing instead media and content that build you spiritually and aid in overcoming the lust.
  2. Prioritize Scripture: Daily engage with God’s Word, allowing it to shape your perspective and desires, focusing on overcoming the temptations of the eyes.
  3. Practice Gratitude: Regularly thank God for your blessings, big and small. Gratitude shifts your focus away from what you lack toward what you’ve graciously received. This gratitude can play a significant role in overcoming the lust of the eyes.

You were created not to chase endless desires but to experience deep fulfillment in God Himself. The more clearly you see Him, the less appealing the world’s fleeting pleasures become, assisting in overcoming the lust of the eyes. True contentment awaits as you anchor your vision in His eternal promises.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, guide my eyes to focus on what truly matters—You and Your kingdom. Help me overcome desires that lead me away from You. Teach me contentment, fill my heart with gratitude, and let my satisfaction always be found in You alone. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

See Also

Devotion to God

The Heart Before God: Trusting Him Over Ourselves

“Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the LORD and whose hope and confident expectation is the LORD.” — Jeremiah 17:7 AMP. This is a reflection of The Heart Before God.

The heart before God is a sacred battleground. It’s the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23)—yet God says it is also deceitful above all things. That contradiction arrests us. We long to follow God, yet wrestle with thoughts, motives, and desires that war against His Spirit. In Jeremiah 17:7-10, God shows us two kinds of people: one who trusts in the Lord and one who trusts in man—including himself.

The one who trusts in El Shaddai is likened to a tree planted by the water. This isn’t a casual believer—this is a person whose hope and expectation are rooted in God alone. When heat comes, this believer doesn’t fear. When drought strikes, he continues to bear fruit. Why? Because his strength isn’t in his own heart, but in the presence of Yahweh. He lives by the river of God’s Spirit. He is nourished daily. He is not shaken.

But then comes the divine diagnosis: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV). This is not poetic exaggeration. The Hebrew word translated “desperately wicked” can mean incurable or sick beyond healing. The heart before God, left to itself, cannot be trusted. It justifies sin. It hides selfish ambition behind religious behavior. It seeks applause while pretending to serve. And the terrifying truth? We don’t even see it.

Only God can.

“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, to give to each person according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NASB). Here is divine justice—not based on appearance or confession, but on the hidden motivations behind our actions. Jesus echoed this in Matthew 15:19 (NASB): “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander.” He made it clear: our actions are the fruit, but the heart is the root.

This is why the psalmist cried out: “Search me, God, and know my heart; put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts” (Psalm 139:23, NASB). David understood that the heart before God must be laid bare—not hidden, not justified, not excused. We cannot cleanse ourselves. We cannot diagnose ourselves. But when we offer our hearts to Adonai, He begins the work of transformation.

Paul reminded the Romans that true change begins in the heart: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2, NASB). This transformation isn’t external—it’s inward, by the Spirit. And again, he wrote, “With the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness…” (Romans 10:10, NASB). The heart must believe in Yeshua. It must trust in God, not in its own instincts or emotions.

Jesus declared, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NASB). A pure heart isn’t a perfect heart—it’s a surrendered heart. A heart tested by fire, cleansed by truth, and kept by faith. A heart that no longer exalts self but bows in awe before the throne of grace.

The Heart Before God Requires Daily Surrender

The heart before God cannot be treated casually. It must be surrendered each day, tested by His Word, and yielded to His Spirit. God is not looking for religious effort—He’s searching for hearts that are fully His (2 Chronicles 16:9). Hearts that don’t trust in circumstances, strength, or emotion, but in the faithfulness of God Almighty.

So we must pray like David: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10, NASB). This is not a one-time request. It’s the daily cry of those who desire to walk with God—not with hollow religion but with authentic faith.

Prayer

Father, I surrender my heart to You. I confess that it is deceitful and often led by emotion or pride. Search me, test me, and purify me. Plant me by Your waters and anchor me in Your truth. Let my roots grow deep in You so that I may not fear when trouble comes. I desire a heart that is clean, steady, and full of faith. Show me where I trust in myself, and lead me into full dependence on You. Let the heart before You be honest, humble, and wholly Yours. In the name of Yeshua, amen.

Want more fruit in your life? Start with the heart.

When we get the heart before God right, everything else begins to align.

See Also

Spiritual Growth

True Holiness: More Than a Life Change

Beloved, do not be deceived—God has not called you to mere outward change, but to inward transformation. Many leave behind the obvious sins of the world, yet unknowingly exchange them for subtler, but just as deadly, sins. They forsake drunkenness but indulge in spiritual pride. They abandon lawlessness but embrace legalism. They turn from impurity but become judgmental toward those who still struggle.

Holiness Is Not Just a Life Change

This is not holiness—it is deception.

Holiness is not about appearing righteous before men but about being truly set apart for God. “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). Not a sacrifice of words alone, not a shift in outward behavior, but a full surrender of your very being. Anything less is religion without power—an illusion of godliness without the fire of God’s presence.

Have You Truly Changed? Or Just Relocated?

The danger is this: we think we have been delivered, when in truth we have only moved from one prison to another. Imagine a man who has lived in filth his whole life, dwelling in a pit of mud. One day, he hears of a beautiful palace where people live clean and respectable lives. Longing for something better, he climbs out of the pit and moves into the palace. But instead of washing, he merely changes his clothes.

He looks clean. He walks among noblemen. But inwardly, he is the same man—still carrying the stench of his past.

So it is with many believers. They leave behind the filth of the world and enter into religious circles, surrounding themselves with others who look holy. But their hearts remain unchanged. They have moved locations, but they have not been transformed.

The Pharisees did this. Yeshua rebuked them, saying, “You clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25 NASB). Outwardly, they appeared righteous. Inwardly, they were filled with pride, hypocrisy, and spiritual death.

Have you done the same? Have you left behind the sins of your past, only to embrace the sins of the religious? Have you exchanged rebellion for self-righteousness? Lust for spiritual arrogance? Worldly ambition for the love of man’s approval?

Holiness is not about where you stand—it is about who you are before God.

True Holiness: Surrendering All Sin

Do not bring only some of your sins to the altar. Bring them all. It is easy to surrender the sins we despise, but true holiness requires that we lay down even the sins we secretly love.

  • You may have repented of lying, but do you still gossip?
  • You may have abandoned immorality, but do you still hold bitterness in your heart?
  • You may no longer steal, but do you rob God of your full surrender?

God does not desire partial holiness—He desires your entire life to be set apart for Him. The fire of God does not come to warm you; it comes to consume you. Either you are fully His, or you are deceiving yourself.

Stop Managing Sin—Be Transformed

Too many believers try to manage sin instead of being delivered from it. They discipline themselves into better habits, suppressing certain desires, but they never allow the Holy Spirit to fully transform them. They white-knuckle their way through self-control, never experiencing true freedom.

But Yeshua did not die to modify your behavior—He died to make you new.

“If anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Do you believe this? Or are you still trying to improve what should be crucified?

Holiness is not about doing better—it is about dying to self and allowing the Spirit of God to make you new. Stop striving in your own strength. Lay yourself on the altar and let the fire of God consume what is not of Him.

A Prayer for True Holiness

Let this be the cry of your heart:

Abba, I do not want an illusion of holiness—I want to be truly holy. Search me and know me. Show me the sins I have excused, the idols I have clung to, the self-righteousness I have hidden behind. I lay them down now. Holy Spirit, consume everything in me that is not of You. Let me not be satisfied with mere religious change—make me new. Transform me into the image of Yeshua, that I may walk in true holiness before You. In His name, amen.

Beloved, now go. Be holy, for He who called you is holy.

See Also

Maturity

From Faith to Love

In this life, you stand in the tension between your sinful body and the Spirit’s call to holiness. Though you are redeemed by the blood of Yeshua, your flesh still wrestles with weakness. Yet, God has shown you the path to victory—a journey that moves from faith to love, each step deepening your devotion and anchoring your life in an unconditional love for Jesus.

Faith → The Foundation of Your Walk

It begins with faith. Without it, you cannot please God. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NASB). Faith is your entrance into salvation, but it is also the path you must walk daily. Faith believes when the eyes cannot see. Faith trusts when the body feels weak. Faith declares that Jesus is worthy, no matter the cost.

Virtue → Living Set Apart

Faith must grow into virtue. Virtue is moral excellence—a decision to reject sin and embrace righteousness. It is saying “no” to the fleeting pleasures of the flesh and “yes” to the eternal reward of walking with Christ. Every time you choose purity over compromise, you declare your love for Jesus. Every moment you seek what is right, you reflect His character. This is virtue: not just believing but living as one who belongs to Him.

Knowledge → Pursuing God’s Truth

But virtue must grow into knowledge. You cannot love Jesus deeply if you do not know Him. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6, NASB). Open His Word. Seek His heart. Let His truth shape your mind and direct your steps. The more you know Him, the more you love Him. And the more you love Him, the deeper you long to obey.

Self-Control → Mastering the Flesh

Knowledge strengthens self-control. This is where you master your desires, refusing to be ruled by the flesh. “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a person who has no self-control” (Proverbs 25:28, NASB). Each moment of surrender says, “Jesus, You are greater than my desires.” Self-control is not about restraint for its own sake but about choosing Christ over every fleeting temptation.

Perseverance → Standing Through Trials

From self-control comes perseverance. The trials will come. The enemy will whisper, “Give up.” But perseverance presses on. “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance” (Romans 5:3, NASB). It is here that your love for Jesus is proven—not in ease, but in endurance. You may fall, but you rise again. You may weep, but you press forward. Because love does not quit.

Godliness → Reflecting His Heart

Perseverance births godliness. It is here that your life begins to reflect His heart. Godliness is not perfection, but daily surrender. It is the quiet decision to say, “Lord, less of me and more of You.” It is walking humbly, serving faithfully, and loving deeply. Your life becomes an offering, pleasing to the One who saved you.

Brotherly Kindness → Loving Like Christ

Godliness overflows into brotherly kindness. You cannot love God and hate your brother. “The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling” (1 John 2:10, NASB). True love looks beyond faults and embraces others with mercy. Brotherly kindness celebrates progress, bears with weakness, and offers forgiveness. It loves as Christ loves—sacrificially and patiently.

Love → The Crown of Maturity

And to brotherly kindness, you add love—the highest and holiest calling. “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8, NASB). This is the love that drove Yeshua to the cross. It is love that never gives up, never grows cold, and never turns away. This love looks like sacrifice. It feels like obedience. And it lasts forever.

Unconditional Love for Jesus Sustains the Journey

Each step in this journey is sustained by your unconditional love for Jesus. When you stumble, it is His love that lifts you. When you feel weak, it is His Spirit that strengthens you. When you are tempted, it is His grace that empowers you.

To love Jesus unconditionally is to love Him beyond circumstances, beyond emotions, and beyond failures. It is to say, “Even when I fall, I will rise again for You. Even when I struggle, I will press on for You.”

This is the love that endures. This is the love that transforms. This is the love that finishes the race.

Prayer:

Father, I come before You, humbled and desperate. Lead me from faith to love. Teach me virtue, fill me with knowledge, and strengthen me with self-control. Help me to persevere through every trial and to reflect godliness in every step. Let brotherly kindness overflow from my heart, and above all, let me love as You love—deeply, sacrificially, and unconditionally.

Yeshua, I long to love You without condition. When I fall, lift me. When I grow weary, strengthen me. When I wander, call me home. Let Your love shape every part of me, until I reflect Your heart in all I do.

In Your holy name, Amen.

See Also