10-31-11<\/p>\n
Oft times, when we are in deepest state of anguish before the Lord, or attempting to draw closer and closer, and closer, to Him, we cry out for Him to examine our hearts.<\/p>\n
There are times \u2013 precious few, in some of our cases \u2013 when we feel, not prideful or self-righteous, but close to Jesus in love and devotion. We want Him to search our souls, to see that we love Him as we never have, that our repentance is real and our dedication is pure. We can never reach these spiritual levels apart from the Holy Spirit, and we ask the Spirit to bring us to the Throne of Grace and address God in these ways.<\/p>\n
At these passionate moments we feel like inviting God to plumb our innermost thoughts\u2026 but at the same time we dare ourselves to be worthy.<\/p>\n
We must always be mindful that our righteousness is like dirty rags to a Holy God. We must be secure that we will never exhibit a \u201cshadow of turning.\u201d Matthew Henry once cautioned: \u201cThe heart, the conscience of man, in his corrupt and fallen state, is deceitful above all things. It calls evil good, and good evil\u2026. the heart is desperately wicked; it is deadly, it is desperate\u2026. We cannot know our own hearts, nor what they will do in an hour of temptation.\u2026 Yet whatever wickedness there is in the heart, God sees it. Men may be imposed upon, but God cannot be deceived.\u201d<\/p>\n
So we must proceed carefully! The spiritual pitfalls do not make this spiritual attitude toward God spiritually futile. Holiness and purity must be our goals. But awareness of the inclinations of human nature should keep us in the Word, and reliant on the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Jeremiah 17:10<\/p>\n The real truth is that God is searching our hearts always, and testing our minds, anyway. So an attitude of inviting God \u201cin\u201d is useful, and humbling, and spiritually disciplining.<\/p>\n But it is probably better that we devote ourselves, first, to our<\/em> knowing God\u2019s<\/em> heart.<\/p>\n It is more important to our faith than God knowing our hearts.<\/p>\n Understanding God\u2019s heart, and ways, and will, is essential before our own hearts can approach any state of preparation to invite God\u2019s examination. Without seeking His heart we cannot know how to reach that point. Without knowing His heart we cannot find our own, to have that Closer Walk with Him.<\/p>\n + + +<\/p>\n