A Clean Heart Cannot Be Camouflaged

A Clean Heart Cannot Be Camouflaged

Do not remember the sins of my youth… According to Your mercy remember me, For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. — Psalm 25:7

Confession agrees with God about our sin. What we camouflage as concern, God calls the sin of worry. What we refer to as righteous indignation, God calls the sin of anger. What we say is just an admiring glance, God calls the sin of lust in our heart.

Confession gets open and honest with God, and there is no forgiveness without it.

We cheat on a business deal, and God asks, “What happened?” We reply, “Oh, it was the pressure of the economy.” Someone gets into an illicit affair, and God asks, “What happened?” We reply, “It started as a friendship, and it just happened.” But confession says, “I cheated someone… I was greedy” or “I perpetrated the sin of passion… I am to blame… I take responsibility.” Confession agrees with God on the matter. It confesses, “I have sinned.”

The good news is that Jesus forgives.

Code Word: Camouflage

Be cautious today that you not make feeble excuses to camouflage your own sin. You can’t fool God. He knows you, loves you, and is ready to forgive and forget.

Lord, I have sinned by _____. I’m not excusing or minimizing it. Please forgive and cleanse me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

*

Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. — James 4:8

We must admit our need for forgiveness and ask God for it. True sorrow for our sin is essential for repentance. Cleansing our hands has to do with turning away from unwise actions. Purifying our hearts has to do with repenting of our ungodly attitudes. The actions of our hands are always a result of the attitudes of our hearts.

Clean hands and a pure heart are key to drawing near to God. That is why the psalmist asked,

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?… He who has clean hands and a pure heart. — Psalm 24:3-4

That hill is Mount Calvary, where Jesus was crucified. Who can ascend this hill of sacrifice and substitution? Only Jesus, for He is the only One in all history who lived a spotless life.

Code Word: Clean

The actions of your hands today will be in direct proportion to the attitude of your heart.

Keep your heart clean.

Lord, my heart is fixed on You today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Excerpted with permission from The Believer’s Code by O. S. Hawkins, copyright O. S. Hawkins.

* * *

Your Turn

When you come before Jesus, are you real with Him? Or do excuses fill your prayers? When He’s ready with forgiveness in His hand, why not be blunt about sin and get rid of it? A clean heart is a light heart, isn’t it? Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We would love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily