Trusting in your Heart?
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5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
Jer 17
1 “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron;
With the point of a diamond it is engraved
On the tablet of their heart,
And on the horns of your altars,
2 While their children remember
Their altars and their wooden images
By the green trees on the high hills.
3 O My mountain in the field,
I will give as plunder your wealth, all your treasures,
And your high places of sin within all your borders.
4 And you, even yourself,
Shall let go of your heritage which I gave you;
And I will cause you to serve your enemies
In the land which you do not know;
For you have kindled a fire in My anger which shall burn forever.”
5 Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
6 For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
11 “As a partridge that broods but does not hatch,
So is he who gets riches, but not by right;
It will leave him in the midst of his days,
And at his end he will be a fool.”
12 A glorious high throne from the beginning
Is the place of our sanctuary.
13 O Lord, the hope of Israel,
All who forsake You shall be ashamed.
“Those who depart from Me
Shall be written in the earth,
Because they have forsaken the Lord,
The fountain of living waters.”
14 Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed;
Save me, and I shall be saved,
For You are my praise.
15 Indeed they say to me,
“Where is the word of the Lord?
Let it come now!”
16 As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You,
Nor have I desired the woeful day;
You know what came out of my lips;
It was right there before You.
17 Do not be a terror to me;
You are my hope in the day of doom.
18 Let them be ashamed who persecute me,
But do not let me be put to shame;
Let them be dismayed,
But do not let me be dismayed.
Bring on them the day of doom,
And destroy them with double destruction!
19 Thus the Lord said to me: “Go and stand in the gate of the children of the people, by which the kings of Judah come in and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem; 20 and say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. 21 Thus says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers. 23 But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear nor receive instruction.
24 “And it shall be, if you heed Me carefully,” says the Lord, “to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it, 25 then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever. 26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland, from the mountains and from the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, bringing sacrifices of praise to the house of the Lord.
27 “But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” ’ ”
I was talking with a very troubled man last year.
He was a 50 year old drug addict and alcoholic who has been married several times, has children that he has never spoken to, and has never been able to keep down a job.
He recently was released from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, and proudly told me that he has been sober for 46 days.
He said that he feels good for the first time in a long time…
…that he has been attending a church in del rio…
…and this time…
…this time…
…he’s going to stay sober.
Then he asked me, “What do you know about sanctification?”
Well, sanctification is a fairly complicated theological term…
…but I told him that sanctification is the journey which Christians begin after they have repented of their sins, and have made the decision to allow God to create in them a new heart by making Jesus Christ the Lord of their lives.
Sanctification is the journey toward perfection…which none of us will ever achieve on this earth…
…but it is the daily process of putting off the old and taking on the newness of life in Christ.
He then said, “Now that I’m not doing drugs or drinking anymore, I still have one vice that eats away at me. It’s lust. How do I deal with lust?”
Well, in whatever form it takes, is this not what every human being who has walked the earth--since the Fall of humankind-- when we became aware of the knowledge of good and evil-- has had to confront?
How do I deal with lust?
How do I deal with what my flesh desires, but what the Holy Spirit of God knows is not good for me?
Some people just decide to embrace the lust, and turn their whole hearts away from God.
And make no mistake, this is a decision.
It’s a decision to follow the cravings of one’s own flesh which never fails to leave one in dire straits.
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.’”
Isn’t it interesting that those who depend on their flesh for their strength… “will not see prosperity when it comes.”
What does that mean?
Could it mean that they will not be satisfied with life no matter what happens?
Even if the deepest desires of their hearts are met…they will not be happy, they will remain unsatisfied…
…even though this is what they have been seeking.
Because the deepest desires of our hearts is not what we truly need.
Let’s face it, our hearts are deceitful.
We cannot rely on them.
The Lord tells us in that “The heart is deceitful above all things…”
Obviously there is something radically wrong with humankind.
We rob each other.
We lie to each other.
We abuse each other.
We rape each other.
We step on each other.
We even kill each other.
And God, through the prophet Jeremiah, puts His finger right on the central problem…
…right on the weakest place…
…the most wounded place…
…the place with the most defects…
…the human heart!
In Matthew Chapter 15 Jesus declares: “out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander…”
And there is no satisfaction in these things, there is no love in these things, there is no hope in these things.
And when people live without hope, they become afraid of life…and they try to relieve themselves of this fear by either hurting themselves or others.
No wonder there is such a high rate of depression.
No wonder there is such a high rate of crime.
No wonder there are so many killings.
No wonder there are so many suicides.
Either we trust in our “flesh,” the self-centered “flesh substance common to men and beasts” as John A.T. Robinson puts it or we stand within the Spirit-filled power of a relationship with God.
Psychologists, psychotherapists, and the producers of prescription drugs have come a long way, but there is one void in the human life which they cannot fill. There is one thing that they cannot fix.
And that is the need for the hope that comes only through living daily in a personal relationship with God.
And in order to live in a personal relationship with God, we must be willing to trust Him
The New American Commentary: Jeremiah, Lamentations (3) The Desperate Condition of the Human Heart (17:9–13)
Verse 9 is another wisdom saying. It contains an emphatic denial of a popular belief that people are basically good (cf. Isa 64:6; Rom 3:23). Judah’s problem of sin is a common one, extending to the whole fallen human race. The word ʿāqōb, “deceitful,” is elsewhere translated “stained”
Sermon Starters, Volume 5 Heart Trouble (Jeremiah 17:9)
Our text gives us the answer to a lot of problems in society. If we used this text to address the problems of society we would know some important answers about why society is what it is.
FIRST—THE PLACE OF THE PROBLEM
“The heart.” Men prefer to think it is the head or the house that causes so much trouble in society, so it pushes education and urban renewal. But education without God is degradation and urban renewal without the Lord is the same old anti-Gospel philosophy that says we do not need a new berth, but a new birth. (Genesis 3 proves that idea true). Men’s basic problem is heart trouble. We recognize that truth physically but we certainly do not recognize it spiritually. When the heart is bad the man is physically in trouble and when the spiritual heart is bad, the man is in big trouble with God. The Gospel is aimed at the heart of man. Jesus came to earth to die on the cross so He could give us a new heart (Ephesians 3:17; Ezekiel 36:26). Salvation gives man a new and a clean heart. Salvation focuses on the heart on man, not on the head or house of man
The Heart of the Problem
Sermon Starters, Volume 5 Heart Trouble (Jeremiah 17:9)
Our text gives us the answer to a lot of problems in society. If we used this text to address the problems of society we would know some important answers about why society is what it is.
FIRST—THE PLACE OF THE PROBLEM
“The heart.” Men prefer to think it is the head or the house that causes so much trouble in society, so it pushes education and urban renewal. But education without God is degradation and urban renewal without the Lord is the same old anti-Gospel philosophy that says we do not need a new berth, but a new birth. (Genesis 3 proves that idea true). Men’s basic problem is heart trouble. We recognize that truth physically but we certainly do not recognize it spiritually. When the heart is bad the man is physically in trouble and when the spiritual heart is bad, the man is in big trouble with God. The Gospel is aimed at the heart of man. Jesus came to earth to die on the cross so He could give us a new heart (Ephesians 3:17; Ezekiel 36:26). Salvation gives man a new and a clean heart. Salvation focuses on the heart on man, not on the head or house of man
Our text gives us the answer to a lot of problems in society. If we used this text to address the problems of society we would know some important answers about why society is what it is.
The heart.” Men prefer to think it is the head or the house that causes so much trouble in society, so it pushes education and urban renewal. But education without God is is Foolish Knowledge without God damming and urban renewal without the Lord is the same old anti-Gospel philosophy that says WE can build a life better for our self what need do we have for God in this Age. The heart has been deceived ( proves that idea true). Men’s basic problem is heart trouble. We recognize that truth physically but we certainly do not recognize it spiritually. When the heart is bad, the man is physically in trouble and when the spiritual heart is bad, the man is in big trouble with God!
Every man thinks he is right about his life – he defaults to self-righteousness by nature. He dislikes instruction and correction, for he assumes his way of doing things is good and wise. But God sees his heart and thoughts and the proud and selfish motives there. Learn to mistrust and resent yourself, for your heart is a lying flatterer to deceive you into error.
Do you know yourself? How can you? Your own heart lies to you worse and more than anyone else. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (). David said,
12 Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
12 Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
No man truly knows himself. You do not know yourself.
). No man truly knows himself. You do not know yourself.
. No man truly knows himself. You do not know yourself.
Of course you think you are clean and right in all your ways. Your self-righteous heart justifies everything you think, say, and do. Your lying heart leads you to all sorts of folly and sin, and you hardly even know it (; ). But the LORD weighs your secret ambitions and motives, just as He weighed Belshazzar at a Babylonian feast. And He will find you wanting. Then He will purify you in the fiery furnace of affliction.
Jesus came to earth to die on the cross so He could give us a new heart!
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
. Salvation gives man a new and a clean heart. Salvation focuses on the heart on man, not on the head or house of man
Salvation gives man a new and a clean heart. Salvation focuses on the heart on man, not on the head or house of man
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.
Prov
2.The Issues of the Heart
2. The Issus of the Heart
“Deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Our text gives us two problems about the heart which prompts much sin.
Sermon Starters, Volume 5 Second—The Particulars of the Problem
SECOND—THE PARTICULARS OF THE PROBLEM
“Deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Our text gives us two problems about the heart which prompts much sin.
• Deceitful. The heart of man is crooked, a prevaricator. It lies like the rug on the ground. It is the car salesman, for it does not tell the truth. It is skilled and clever at this deception (“above all things.”) So it is really good at being deceitful.
• Defiled. “Desperately wicked.” Not just wicked but very wicked. The words mean incurable. The heart is sin-sick and men cannot heal it. It is incurable. But Jesus Christ can cleanse the heart and heal it by his shed blood (1 John 1:7). “Desperately wicked” is a good description of many people today. They are dedicated to doing evil. Hollywood is constantly inventing ways of doing evil then filming it for the vile food for the hearts that love it.
• Deceitful. The heart of man is crooked, deceitful can be down right wicked
It lies like the rug on the ground!
It is the car salesman, for it does not tell the truth!
It is skilled and clever at this deception (“above all things.”) So it is really good at being deceitful.
• Defiled. “Desperately wicked.” Not just wicked but very wicked!
The word means incurable. The heart is sin-sick and men cannot heal it.
It is incurable.
This is the cause of so much hate trama Anxiety Stress Depression!
The Enemy know how to do one thing well This is to Lie!
He got to the heart of Eve he gets to our hearts he lies to us to destroy our
Joy! our passion! our testamony!
But I have good news for you today Jesus Christ can cleanse the heart and heal it by his shed blood!
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
). “Desperately wicked” is a good description of many people today. They are dedicated to doing evil. Hollywood is constantly inventing ways of doing evil then filming it for the vile food for the hearts that love it.
. “Desperately wicked” is a good description of many people today. They are dedicated to doing evil. Hollywood is constantly inventing ways of doing evil then filming it for the vile food for the hearts that love it.
WE get trapped watching this evil horror films Crazy action films filled with lust sex drugs full of Evil and our hearts are just so content are they not!
Sermon Starters, Volume 5 Third—The Product of the Problem
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Do you ever wonder why we have so much crime, why our schools embrace evolution instead of creation by God, why people get drunk, do drugs, are immoral, divorce? It is because the heart of man is bad. It is not because he needs a new house or a head filled with more facts but he needs a heart with Christ in it.
3. Allow the Gospel to Change your Heart
Sermon Starters, Volume 5 Fourth—The Perplexity of the Problem
FOURTH—THE PERPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM
“Who can know it?” A bad heart has an advantage over man because men cannot see what is in the heart of man. But the next verse answers this question. The answer is God. God knows the heart of men and knows all about men. Not repenting of sin only hurts the sinner.
“Who can know it?” A bad heart has an advantage over man because men cannot see what is in the heart of man. But the next verse answers this question. The answer is God. God knows the heart of men and knows all about men. Not repenting of sin only hurts the sinner.
Though you cannot know the deceitfulness of your heart, the LORD does. The blessed God says to man, “Who can know it?” Then He answers, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (). All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom you have to do, including the thoughts and intents of your heart
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
).
What can you do? Humble yourself and admit you are at least as wicked in all your ways as the worst sinner you know (). Confess your self-righteousness as a disgrace before the Holy God (). Admit your righteousnesses are as clean as used filthy rags (). Beg the LORD to search and reveal your wicked thoughts to you . Ask for a clean heart
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
).
The Gospel is aimed at the heart of man!
Jesus came to earth to die on the cross so He could give us a new heart!
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Salvation gives man a new and a clean heart. Salvation focuses on the heart on man, not on the head or house of man