By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.""
Man is a spirit (or innerman also called the heart), with the soul (the seat of emotions, thoughts and decisions) and the body which houses the soul and spirit. The spirit is the real person which connects with the spirit world and influences the soul, and the body implements the decisions. The heart of the unregenerated man is controlled and influenced by Satan and his demons. It is very deceitful and without cure, unless God comes in to change it.
At the point of turning to Christ, the heart is given over to Jesus Who saves the person and becomes the Lord. Henceforth, the direction, thoughts, control and decisions of the person are guided by the Lordship of Jesus. The Agent of this transformation and translation from the kingdom of darkness under the devil, to the kingdom of light under Jesus, is the Holy Spirit Whom God places in everyone who comes to salvation in Christ. Because man still retains the will to choose and decide, the Holy Spirit works with the person’s willing corporation to effect this change.
The unconverted heart is desperately wicked and deceitful, reflecting the nature of its master, Satan. The devil will still attempt to manipulate the thoughts and decisions of even the believer in Christ. Some will totally be convinced they are doing God’s will, and yet clearly promoting satanic schemes! Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, to deceive even the elect. Who is incharge of your heart? Allow God, the searcher of the motives and intentions of every man’s heart, to be in control so as to escape the deception of Satan.
Matthew 15:7-9 "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"
Shalom children of God.