Only God Knows a Heart

One lesson I tried hard to teach my children is that only God knows a heart. In 1 Samuel 16:7 we are told that man judges the outward appearance but God judges the heart. I used to tell my children that there could be a man seen praying in a church but within he is NOT praying but railing against God. Then there could be a man lying in the gutter drunk but calling out to his Father in heaven to forgive him. There might be a woman who is heard cussing now and then but inwardly she cringes each time and begs forgiveness as she battles to be the person she longs to be. And yet there is another woman who speaks kindly to others while inside she is hurling insults at them.

Only God can judge a heart. We can be fruit inspectors. We can make some judgments of people’s outward behaviors as to whether we would choose to closely align ourselves with them or be yoked to them. But only God knows a heart. And I am so glad that I am not responsible to judge others hearts.

This idea of not judging others has taken God a VERY long time to get it deep within my soul. And still on many occasions I will hear a still small voice reminding me that I am judging. It is so very easy to do. I remember clearly the moment when this message was driven deeper into my spirit. I was learning to understand that I cannot change other people. I was learning that often I cannot change my circumstances, but I can always choose MY attitude. I was learning that others are allowed their feelings; but those feelings are theirs and not mine; and I am allowed my feelings. I can allow others to be angry with what I have chosen but still be okay with the choice I made. And during this period of time, as I learned, something hit me.

I can only change myself. I cannot change others. AND I cannot know what is in another’s heart. So often I am misunderstood because my actions do not always line up with my heart’s intentions. Sometimes it is because I am misunderstood, and other times it is because I have failed. I have SO MUCH WORK just to keep myself in line. How could I ever possibly have the time to think on anyone else-their thoughts, their choices, their actions? Do I really think God needs my help? Is He not capable of convicting and correcting without me? There is much work just to be listening and obedient to His Spirit myself! Set an example by my OWN actions!

I ran across this in God Calling…And once again this message of not presuming to know another’s heart was refreshed in my spirit. I ask forgiveness, Lord, for the times my heart has judged another heart, that only You can know. I am glad that my heart is safe with You. I am glad that only You judge my heart. Please help me to be a light for others by the choices I make and not make judgmental statements about what I do not know. Amen.

From God Calling:

What Joy follows self conquest! You cannot conquer and control others, either of you, until you have completely conquered yourself.

Can you see yourselves absolutely unmoved? Think of Me before the mocking soldiers, being struck, spat upon, and answering never a word-never a word. Try to see that as Divine Power. Remember by that Power of perfect silence, perfect self-control, you can alone prove your right to govern.

Never judge. The heart of man is so delicate so complex, only its Maker can know it. Each heart is so different, actuated by different motives, controlled by different circumstances, influenced by different sufferings.

How can one judge of another? Leave to Me the unravelling of the puzzles of life. Leave to Me the teaching of understanding. Bring each heart to Me, its Maker, and leave it with Me. Secure in the certainty that all that is wrong I can set right.