The Heart
I’ve heard it said that it doesn’t matter that one does not believe in Jesus, or subscribe to any particular system of beliefs or faith – that God knows our heart and will judge us according to our hearts.
That’s a scary thought, especially in light of what God has to say about the heart.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
God destroyed almost every living thing in the flood because of man’s heart.
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5
If there was another way of salvation other than grace, God would not have had to send His Son to die for our sins.
“O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” Deuteronomy 5:29
Ever been angry with someone? Ever felt hatred toward someone? Jesus said that if we are angry with someone, or hate someone, that we have committed murder in our hearts. That means you’ve broken the 6th commandment.
Ever lusted after someone sexually who was not your spouse? Jesus said that if we have lusted, we have committed adultery in our hearts. That means you’ve broken the 7th commandment.
Have you ever lied?
You’ve broken the 9th commandment.
Ever dishonored your parents?
You’ve broken the 5th commandment.
Ever put anything or anyone above God in importance in your life?
You’ve broken the 1st commandment and are an idolater.
What foul words come out of your mouth? “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” Matthew 15:1
“He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.” Psalm 10:11
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Psalms 14:1
No. God will not judge us by our hearts.
If he did, we would all go to hell.
thoughts from Ms.Green @ Wednesday, April 09, 2008
7 Comments:
I always took that phrase "judging by our hearts" to mean that God knows what our hearts really want, that it means our true selves are reflected by our hearts. That the results of our actions are not always in sync with the intentions of our hearts. To put it another way, that our hearts reveal our true level of sincerity regarding our claim to be believers.
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I think you are right, Marshall, in that God DOES judge the sincerity of our hearts. He is the only one, for example, who truly without question knows if a person is saved or not.
He is the only one who can truly judge a person's motives for their actions.(see The Most Misused Verse in All of Scripture
However, in this particular post, I was referring to lost people and people of other faiths who say that they don't have to trust Christ for their salvation - they believe their salvation will be decided based on God's knowledge of their hearts and their "good intentions". In other words, they're trusting in their own works and "sincerety" to get them to heaven, not understanding that man's works are no better than what we flush down the toilet according to Scripture.
And clarity is provided. Thanks Ms. Green.
I just read the link regarding the most misused verse in all of Scripture. It put me in mind of a woman at a barbecue we were having years ago. This neighbor, quite tipsy to say the least, out of the blue says, "All I ask is that you don't judge me." Not a whole lot of judgement required when the subject is staggering and slurring her words. But I asked her to what judgement was it that she had been subjected that she should be so concerned that it not happen again. After a pregnant pause, she waved me off with, "Just don't judge me." Somehow I think it had to do with her drinking. The party had barely started.
Generally, when folks complain about others being judgmental, they've already committed some act for which judgement is no longer necessary. Their actions have betrayed their hearts and they have convicted themselves. At that point, what is left to judge?
Generally, when folks complain about others being judgmental, they've already committed some act for which judgement is no longer necessary. Their actions have betrayed their hearts and they have convicted themselves. At that point, what is left to judge?
You've hit the nail on the head, Marshall. And has anyone noticed that most often, the ones who scream "Don't Judge Me!" are the ones who are constantly making negative remarks and judgmental statements against Christians?
When their sin is judged (which is Scriptural, because Scripture points out sin), they respond by calling Christians biggots, closed minded, judgemental, etc. (which is not Scriptural - because they are judging our motives).
Usually when the Bible uses the word, "Judgment" it is referring to God's chastizement of sin, not expressing an opinion on whether the offender is truly sinning or not. For instance, Sampson was a judge in the Biblical sense, in that he destroyed God's enemies. He was God's judgement upon the heathen.
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