The will of unbelieving humanity is constrained by this fallen world and enslaved by sin. Scripture teaches Adam and Eve chose disobedience to God’s will and Word (Gen 2:16-17, 3:1-19). Human beings became bound by that one disobedient choice—sin. Yet, in God’s mercy and goodness, he used the disobedience of Adam and Eve to teach us the way to salvation and the righteous life. The truth of God’s will is found in Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Jesus modeled the will of the Father for human life. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jo 14:6).
Our lives will always reflect what is in our hearts, because every action originates from the heart (Pro 4:23). If we are a positive or negative person, it is reflective of what is in our hearts—good or evil. The will of the heart really drives our lives; therefore, it must be transformed by the Lord.
We have beautiful freedom in this country; we are free to make choices for our lives. However, because of our spiritual condition of sin, we cannot make pure or righteous choices apart from the redeeming work of the Holy Spirit. When we live our lives in [following] Christ, God’s peace guards our hearts and minds (Phil 4:7).
In our verse for today, David prays, yields, and asks God to invade the will of his heart and take captive anything hidden—thoughts, motives, evil—that needs purification. Today, let’s remember we cannot just blindly ‘follow our hearts.’ We must ask God to sit on the throne of our hearts, direct, and lead us in the will of the Father. Every choice must go through our Lord Jesus, because our goal is transformation.
Psalm 139:23-24 NLT 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for this further understanding of my heart. I am born again, but I can still be tempted by a fallen and wayward will. I want to do the will of the Father and become more like Jesus. Please help me through the work of the Word and Spirit to discern what is righteous and wisely choose to follow. Point out, in me, what is corrupt to your heart and help me surrender to your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.