PROVERBS 28:26 – He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

THEME OF THE DAY. NEVER TRUST IT. We do it so easily. Not to mention we have many forces against us helping us to do it so easily. The devil desires us to do it knowing it will cause serious spiritual damage. The world wants us to do it because it will distract us from the Lord Jesus. Our flesh pulls us hard to do this for it is aware of how it will keep us from the calls to self-denial and self-sacrifice for Christ and others. And this “thing” we do so easily is identified in today’s scripture – trusting our hearts. Should we find ourselves swayed to trust ourselves in anything, the consequences are not going to be good. In fact, in some areas of trusting ourselves, the consequences might be severely life-altering. Let me provide one of those. Be a Christian suffering from loneliness and longing for companionship letting your heart (the seat of emotions and feelings), not Biblical counsel and reason, lead you into an unequally yoked relationship with an unbeliever. You will shipwreck your faith, your testimony, and with few exceptions, you will be taken into a worldly and backslidden condition. But moving on, here are two reasons why we are never to trust ourselves when making decisions about anything in life.

First, we are commanded not to trust ourselves – Trust in the LORD with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body. And refreshment to your bones (Proverbs 3:5-8). Feelings are strong. Emotions are powerful. Personal desires hold great influence upon us. In our remaining sinfulness, all of them – feelings, emotions, desires – are tainted by selfishness. The only way not to rely upon them is to be resolved to “slay them” by unwavering obedience to God’s commandments. Just because a direction or action feels right, appears to be right, and just makes sense humanly-speaking, doesn’t make it the will of God. Do three things to ensure we are not trusting ourselves in anything; go slow, seek Godly counsel outside your physical family, and spend time evaluating our options based on “Will it serve the Gospel greater?” and “Will I be in a position for more growth in Christ?” And don’t be quick in this evaluation with thoughtless and self-serving justification. Really ask the hard questions – “Will the decision I make increase my opportunities for the Gospel?” and “Is this decision going to hinder or help my opportunities for growth in Christ?”

Another reason for not trusting ourselves is because of the unreliable nature of our hearts – The heart is more deceitful than all else. And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9). This should be reason enough. The question Jeremiah asks has a two-fold answer – no human may understand the heart and only God can. Let this be a warning never to look inside for direction. In doing so, we safeguard ourselves from two things; wearing the title in today’s scripture – a fool; and not making decisions that may lead to regret and disaster.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to avoid the deceptive danger of trusting my own understanding.”

QUOTE: “Be careful, very careful, not to let personal desires be the guiding force in our lives.”