A New Covenant: A Study in JeremiahSample

What does it say?

Judah’s sin was deeply engraved on totally wicked hearts. Only the Lord can examine a heart and mind and reward each person accordingly.

What does it mean?

God’s people abandoned a clearly laid-out path to peace and freedom in exchange for a path that led to death and captivity. Such an absurd choice can only be explained by deception – in this case, self-deception. The Judeans’ own hearts told them that they had done nothing wrong, which was treachery against God. It was more comfortable to believe their misguided hearts than to accept their true condition – sinful. However, the heart's and mind's deceptive motives cannot be hidden from God. Only He saw and understood their hearts and minds at the deepest level.

How should I respond?

In our present culture, it has become popular to think that we are all basically good, but the Bible is clear: every person is born with evil inclinations. Our sinful nature causes us to twist the truth, convincing ourselves that we’re okay as we are. Without the Holy Spirit, we’re helpless to discern Scripture and compare our tainted thinking with God’s teachings. The Holy Spirit stands ready to help you overcome the sin struggle you’re facing right now (1 Cor. 2:12-13). Ask God to search your heart and mind today and reveal any misleading thoughts that contradict His Word.