I read once that we have an outer self (what we present to the world) and inner self (what we present to ourselves) and a “secret” self (what we don’t always admit, but what we do actually think, plot and desire in the quiet of our mind).
It’s scary to imagine this secret self. Why is it there? How much does it influence us?
What’s scarier still is to think no one knows the secret self besides us. To think no one else can hear the thoughts or the true feelings that swirl around in our hearts–especially when we linger in them.
Someone Already Knows Our Secrets
God knows what’s in our hearts. He hears and sees all, so he is right there with the “secret self” during the thoughts, plans, reactions and more.
But that’s not a bad thing; if it’s true that whatever is in your heart determines what you say (Matt 12:34), then we realize just how much we need God to be in that place with us.
David prayed for a pure heart. He was on to something.
In the beginning, God knew.
The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. (Genesis 6:5)
In human form, God knew.
Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts?”(Mark 2:8)
So What’s in Your Heart?
It’s easy for us to see what’s in our heart and the heart of others by simply observing. Granted, we’re human, so we have our moments, but what we want to ponder is this: Is it a moment or is it a lifestyle?
Not only does God see what’s in our heart, but also, with the right kind of sight, others can see it too.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 5:45)
We’re not alone in our secrets. God knows all. It’s just a matter of time before we turn to him in those dark rooms and ask for him to enter. That’s when lives change.
Love this! To know that God already knows what we think we are hiding is the epitome of transparency. Since we cannot hide from him, we might as well invite him and let him weed out the junk. The pruning process is not easy, but WOW how life changes when we let go of those nasty things we are holding onto deep inside.
Two things are coming to mind. One is Mercy Me’s song, “So Long Self” seen here on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpyKXcMYMS8
The second is a Bible study I did years ago called, “Conversation Peace.” The Bible study reemphasizes Luke 6:45 which says, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
Inviting God into our hearts means that we have to evict ourselves. Scary, yes! But he always goes before us and promises to take each step with us.
It reminds me of Psalm 139:23-24:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Good topic!
Can i ask?
great topic!! I am from Mexico.. God bless you so much
Welcome! Thanks for visiting 🙂
That scripture is in Luke 6:45.KJV
Much Blessings.
Thank you!!
My whole life changed when I took Provbs. 24:12 to heart…. God knows what we are
thinking about others and will reward us ACCORDING to what we do about what we think!!! I have a really unbelievable testimony almost (if it weren’t true). If you go to our website and to CONTACTS, story is called A MAN SENT FROM GOD. (salvation from life with a murderer and rapist)
Everyone has always told me I have a good heart, but as I get older it seems to always gets taken advantage of and used, going off subject I have three sisters who claim to be Christians they literally drive around and put there hands in the air listening to Christian music….I got in a dark place once and decided to take my life, at the last second I called one of my sister’s, she said she had to, said ill pray for you and literally hung up on me, she saved me by doing that though, I’ve come to realize all three are fake Christians, they talk about people all the time after church they gossip about everyone, instead of physically helping someone, they use prayer to make themselves feel as if they helped that person, I always looked up to them and feel a little lost and pushed God away, even considered being a atheist, but he pulls at me I always feel him it’s as if his hand is stretched out, but it’s like I don’t wanna grab it, I’m confused, it kills me about all the horrible people and the pain they cause others, I’ve always had a problem with it, if I was God I would protect those innocent children, people, that go threw hell cause of others…….please help if you can but don’t give me the the same old same old, I’ve read the bible twice threw…
Hey Chris, if this is of any help, we are all human and fall short. I don’t know your sisters, but I know there are people who say they’re Christian but don’t really live with Christ as their Lord. Only God knows what’s really in someone’s heart, and if we’re looking to Him individually, He will convict us of our wrong in His time. I can certainly understand the frustration with hypocrisy though. I was just in a Bible study yesterday on false teachers and people who use God’s word for their own personal gain. Maybe for a time they’ll look the part, but trust that God knows the truth. What’s more important, what man thinks or what our eternal judge God thinks? Nonetheless, it’s pretty clear that we’re called to not judge our family in Christ but to leave room for God’s judgement. You probably know some of these verses already (Romans 12:19, Leviticus 19:18, etc.)
As long as we’re focusing on other people and what they’re doing or not doing, we’re not focusing on our own walk fully. There are countless times in Psalms that feelings of unfairness are expressed because some people get away with things, but the point comes back time and again to what are we doing. Are you being faithful? Your walk, your faith, your eternity is only between you and God. When you take your eyes off of your relationship with Christ–whether it’s lingering in the frustration of hypocrisy, wanting to ditch the faith because of something someone else is doing, etc.–the devil gains a foothold, and that is EXACTLY what he wants. He wants you to keep your focus on phoniness and judgement and every fault of others so you do not focus on the real work: loving anyway, loving without condition (the love Jesus showed us dying for us when we were still sinners). Yes, it’s hard, but that is the REAL message of Christ. He said: 1) love God and 2) love others. That is what we’re continually striving for. Not that we are saved by our works, but when we want to be more like Christ, we start to act more like Christ from the inside out. Lose the things that eat at you and annoy you and bother you about others and replace it with love. You will not leave unchanged.
If you stand before God on your last day, when you close your eyes for the last time, will you know that YOU have been faithful? Not because of what someone else did or said or didn’t do or didn’t say. None of that will matter. None of that is about you and God. What will you do with this life? How will you use the gift of grace that God has given you? How will you be the example others need? And in all that, you’ll fumble too. You’ll make mistakes too, because like me and your sisters and every other Christian, you are a human being. But just like all of us, God will convict us of what needs change in our life when He knows it’s best for us and how it is best for us. And we are called to have patience and mercy with one another and trust Him.
None of this is easy. None of this comes natural. All of it is good. We’re told in Matthew 7:20 that you recognize the tree by its fruit. What fruit do you bear? Not your sisters, not your neighbors, but you? What good fruit will come from your life by following Jesus that will impact others, even convict them? Be the light. Be the example. It’s only through Christ my friend.
And lastly have you ever tried praying for faithful friends? I wrote a post on it today, and it’s something I do myself. Actually all that’s written here I’ve done myself and do every single day. I understand what you’re saying. Don’t be distracted by what others are doing; it’s not going to be about them in the end. I hope this was helpful for you. God bless you, and I’m really grateful for what you’ve shared so far.