Nothing can hide its evil as well as the human mind. It can be very sick, and no one really understands it.
Jeremiah 17:9 ERV
The human mind is a complex and powerful force. The heart possesses an unsettling ability to conceal darkness. This verse from Jeremiah 17:9 highlights a truth King David understood deeply, even though he was considered “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). He knew that nobody could fully know the tendencies of his/her heart.
David’s plea to God to “search his heart” (Psalm 139:23) may seem puzzling. Shouldn’t he know his own heart’s desires? The answer lies in Jeremiah’s profound statement: we are often blind to our own potential for wickedness.
No matter how righteous we perceive ourselves to be, the human heart harbours hidden depths. It can be a reservoir of unexpected temptations and wrong intentions. Indeed, no one could fully know the human mind.
So, if we lack true self-awareness and we can’t fully understand our own hearts, what path should we take? David provides the answer through his actions. He implored God to expose any wickedness within him, acknowledging that only God possesses the power to do so. As Jeremiah 17:10a declares, “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind.”
God’s omniscience extends beyond our present thoughts. He discerns our future desires and unveils the recesses of our hearts that we ourselves cannot reach. Hebrews 4:12 beautifully portrays this truth: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Therefore, through diligent study and application of God’s word, we invite Him to examine our hearts. The scriptures act as a potent tool, revealing hidden desires and fostering transformation. As we surrender to His guidance and actively obey His teachings, He removes these negative tendencies, allowing His nature to shine through us.
In conclusion, our hearts hold a capacity for both good and evil that often remains hidden from us. By drawing closer to God through scripture and prayer, we empower Him to search our hearts, purge negativity, and guide us toward becoming the best versions of ourselves.
