secret counsels of the heart | considering the word

Pr. 3:32: “For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright.”

The perverse person in this verse is one “who transgresses the law.” It is one who deliberately disregards the law and will of God, choosing to live a sinful life outside of God. With such, God cannot commune, as He cannot tolerate sin, and finds it abominable.

With the upright, on the other hand, He has secret counsel. He speaks to them, teaches them, and guides them moment by moment; readying them for their path ahead. I noticed an example of this in my reading this morning.

In Acts 2:14, Peter stands up, raises his voice, and begins speaking to a large crowd about Jesus. Peter had just been filled with the Holy Spirit and due to that, he who had previously denied Jesus boldly stepped forward, raised his voice, and proclaimed Jesus for all to hear. The Holy Spirit gave him utterance, but God had most certainly been working within Peter’s heart to ready Him for this.

In my experience, God does not send us forward to do something that He has not prepared us to do. He works within us, readying us, preparing us, equipping, training, and guiding us toward that moment. It is a secret counsel that we have with the Lord Himself of which no one else is likely aware.

When we choose to deliberately live a life outside of Him, this cannot take place. However, when our hearts are open before Him in fear and in loving submission, He can work within us, readying us and guiding us secretly for His greater plans. He can teach us and train us in the private depths of our hearts.

Just as the Lord readied Peter’s heart for the boldness the Holy Spirit would bring, He readies the upright for their own journey ahead.

Do not doubt the preparations of the Lord. He is mighty and able. If you are open to Him, He will teach, guide, and ready you for the journey He has in store for you. If He has been speaking secretly to you, continue with Him. When the time comes, you will be fully prepared and equipped. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit will be with you, helping every step of the way.

Keeping secrets,

jamie

Yesterday I wrote about sin and the fact that we must have a faithful witness in order to show others the Way. We must allow the Lord to examine and weigh our hearts to get rid of the impurities. However, please remember this:

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” 1 Cor. 4:5

This verse tells us something wonderful…the Lord knows what satan does to each of us. We each have individual battles and temptations that we daily must fight and the Lord will “bring to light the hidden things of darkness.” He knows what satan is doing to us every day!!! Is that not reassuring to know?

We no longer have to live in condemnation. Judgment has not yet taken place. The Lord understands that satan comes in and offers “counsels of the hearts.” Do you not think the enemy whispers in your ear anything he can to distract and dismay you? Of course he does. He will stop at nothing to get your eyes off God. He will fill you with negative thoughts, regret, overwhelming guilt, and condemning thoughts about yourself.

Of course the Holy Spirit will examine our hearts and give us wisdom on how to live holy lives, but God knows our frames and ultimately He knows what battles we fight every day. Maybe you’re not a murderer, but maybe you overcome the temptation of lust every hour on the hour. Maybe you haven’t stolen millions from the fatherless, but maybe you have to make the choice each day not to harbor anger in your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself. Maybe you haven’t created a room in your home and filled it with idols, but perhaps you constantly fight the temptation to idolize something or someone and instead decide…one more time…to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength.

The Lord knows our battles and He knows what satan throws at us each day. Let’s let Him be the judge of us. Only He truly knows how we battle temptation each day in order to choose Him. Then on that day of true judgment our praise will come from God! 🙂

Thankful to truly be free,

jamie