Bible Study March 10, 2025
“Deceit”
Jeremiah 17:9 “”The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”.
This verse is often used to describe the depravity of the human heart. In our Monday evening Bible study we have been looking at the book of Genesis. We have seen Abraham lie on two occasions about Sarah being his sister rather than his wife because of her beauty. God had made amazing promises to Abraham but he still lied. Those same promises followed Isaac his son. Then his son Isaac does the same thing. Then Jacob, Isaac’s son is deceived by his uncle.
The scriptures are filled with people who are not perfect. In fact only one perfect man ever walked this earth was Jesus Himself. I believe scripture teaches what it does to let us know as far as sin is concerned no one is to far gone for God to intervene in their lives and offer hope if they ask.
As we look at the scriptures we see the heart is representative of the mind, the will, and the inner self. This is the place where a person’s desires are first formulated and if acted upon can bring destruction if acted upon wrongly.
I also think this verse tells us something about putting too much emphasis on feelings. To many people follow – their feelings that result in their actions. If we were to be led by the power of the Holy Spirit then we take our feelings out of the picture.
We must search our heart then follow what our heart guides us to do. By doing this we find ourselves living in far greater peace than we do by following our own actions. However, it is not something that comes without seeking the Spirit. We are too accustomed to following our own desires.
The verse also describes the Lord searching the heart and mind to reward people according to their actions. This is the only true way we live in complete we will ever be happy is to allow God to become our master.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 