The Heart of Man

Proverbs 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out. 

As we look back over our lives, we can see the pain of our childhood or life journey and how it continues to follow us to this present day. However, it is not just me, or you and yet everyone. Currently, I am reading the book Boundaries with a book club and Redemption with another book club. It is ironic how both books point back to childhood for the present response of society and its people to current life situations. Hum, the heart of man. It is ironic and yet not surprising at all. Back in the day, if a woman had to return to work prior to a child being old enough to go to school, someone in the family would care for the child. Even further back, women did not work if they so chose, to care for the new born child. Today, if one if affluent enough, exceedingly rare, the wife stays at home until the children are school age. Different strokes for different folks and generations as well. It is interesting, the life experiences that are gained along the way in the heart of man.  

 Life experiences will shape and mold us. I know of a person who as a child did not have what the other kids had as it relates to clothes, and school supplies and other items that most kids take for granted. Married in his twenties, and divorced twice by his 30’s, he now works nonstop. At times, went without food himself so his two children could eat. Growing up, went without food so his four siblings could eat. And has been since elevated in his chosen profession to the highest level of partner in the law firm in the corporate world. Extremely rare for a man of color. Yet, another who retired in his 30’s as a black engineer, only to get another six-figure salary job as a Vice-President for another organization. He has worked for corporations such as Ford, Fed-Ex, Target and now serves as a Vice-President of Nike. Another rare find, I am sure in the world we live. The list is long, and yet the heart of man is at question. 

The heart of man is like deep water. Deep water gets darker and darker the further one travels downward. So dark at times, one cannot see like blind Bartimaeus. So dark, that when there is no food to eat, the depth of one’s soul screams that when I get older, this will not be the situation that I live in from day to day. The abundant life that my Faher promised is before me and I am going to get it. It is promised in His word. The word that guides, leads, and directs my life. Deep water that Queen Esther, the orphan, made a present conscious aware decision to take her petition before the Lord in fasting and prayer before she dares to approach her husband king to save the Jewish people. Water so deep, that amid a pandemic, saints continue to come together to pray without ceasing daily on the Miracle prayer line. Knowing, believing and having faith that God continues to hear prayers. He reigns on the throne. He has the final say in all matters. He is in control. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning, and the end. His word is still true. There is nothing new under the sun as it states in Ecclesiastes 1:9. He continues to perform miracles.  

Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts. So many ways, depending upon which bible text one reads. 

Proverbs 4:23, NIV: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” 
 
Proverbs 4:23, ESV: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” 
 
Proverbs 4:23, KJV: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” 
 
Proverbs 4:23, NASB: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” 
 
Proverbs 4:23, NLT: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” 
 
Proverbs 4:23, CSB: “Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.” 

Words mean so much in biblical text; flows from it, flow the springs of life, flow the springs of life, source of life, endless possibilities. God has given us choice saints. The choice to choose Him. What drives the two people above, Only He knows. One may say the varied circumstances that they experienced in childhood. Another may say, their drive, determinations and will. However, only God truly knows. Only God knows how deeply the waters flow in the heart of man. His all-knowing presence was with them during childhood, circumstances, and situations they faced. He gave them direction in fulfilling His promise in their life. Our gift makes a way for us. During trial and tribulation, we are to count it all joy, because the trying of our faith works patience. So that one may be perfect (as perfect as sinful humans can get) and entire wanting nothing as it says in James 1 versus 2 through 4. Angie Wood shared on Friday, Christ in us, we are perfect. Our response to life is filled with love. We exhibit and respond in the manner of Him.  

What comes to mind is when the woman was caught in adultery. Mother Hill spoke on this a while back. Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. The Pharisees and the scribes brought to Him the woman caught in adultery and stated that per the law she should be stoned. Testing Jesus. Yet what was the posture of their hearts? These men. Only God truly knows. On the outside we see the question. We can surmise what they wanted. Vengeance on this woman. Yet, Jesus, the leader and teacher that He is, tested them back. Offering that if they are without sin, to cast the first stone. He challenged their hearts; our loving Jesus did. He did here in John 8 verse 9. 

Verse 9: And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 

Conscience ; their contrite heart. The mind started thinking of all the things they failed at, wrong decisions. Like puppies, they put their head down and tail between their legs and scurried/shuffled away.  Slowly, one by one going away. Conviction in action. May I offer the woman did the same and yet differently. 

Verse 10 and 11: When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 

She didn’t shuffle away. She walked away, just as calmly as you please. She knew she was a sinner. I don’t see in this text, where it said she was cowering or afraid even as they brought her before Jesus. Wiha repent heart, she walked away. A repentant heart brings about redemption. A repentant heart brings freedom, break chains and releases one form bondage for restoration back to the Father.  

Verses 12 and 13 they still challenged Jesus the few that were left. 

Verse 14 through 18: ¹⁴ Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 

¹⁵ Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 

¹⁶ And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 

¹⁷ It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 

¹⁸ I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 

Judgement is that of the Father, not man. That is the duty of the Father. That is our Father’s right. Redemption allows for mistakes. Redemption convicts it does not condemn. Redemption is an opportunity to love like Christ. However, the heart of man is required for redemption to take place. Jesus is perfect and true and as such the one true model for the heart of man. He did not side with the scribes and Pharisees. He did not side with the woman. He was Switzerland with this natural earthly decision and yet oh so spiritual and right on, in making the decision to live a life pleasing the Father in this situation that was brought before Him. Sounds so simple and yet these trials, tribulations, mountains, and mole hills come to test our resolve in life. Yet, there is victory in the one true living God. There is heart fixing going on.  

May I encourage us today to step into the deep water, because in the deep water, there is some heart fixing going on. Dive into the deep waters today saints, because He meets us each time working it all out for our good. The deep water embraces the heart of man as God molds us into His image. Let’s choose the deep water today saints, as the flow life is much more peaceful, compassionate and joy filled with our Father. That man that draws out understanding is Christ.