The deceitful heart

By Bishop James Swanson

“The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?”

––Jeremiah 17:9

Jeremiah tells us to avoid relying strictly on our feelings to make decisions. Like other biblical writers, when he speaks of the heart he is talking about the seat of our emotions and the feelings that drive us to act in impulsive ways.

Jeremiah warns us to avoid knee-jerk reactions.

When disappointments, discouragement, disillusionment, hurt and a myriad of other pains invade our lives, we must guard our hearts so that we do not speak or act in ways that disregard God’s will for our lives.

David realized too late that his actions did not represent a man who was so blessed by God that he rose from being a shepherd boy to become king of Judah. Upon his belated realization, he cried out, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

The events of January 6 reveal the folly of acting solely on feelings. Acting on our impulses is dangerous and downright ungodly.

We are all susceptible to this if we don’t listen to Jeremiah.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?”

Lord, create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Help me practice living in a way that engenders good, wholesome and right relationships with others. When we disagree on matters, help me to place witnessing to your desire to build a world community that reflects you and not me. Hold me tightly and teach me your ways. Amen.

Bishop James E. Swanson Sr., president

General Commission on UM Men

bishop@mississippi-umc.org