[Discoveries] 08-31-08 Truth in our heads vs. truth in our hearts -- Psalm 51:6

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in 
the inmost place." -- Psalm 51:6*/

Jim's story (yesterday's devotional) illustrates several important, but 
often misunderstood, dynamics about sin and temptation.

Why did Jim fall into sin?

Jim was a church-going, Bible-believing Christian for over 30 years. Jim 
knew the truth. He had bucketfuls of truth stored in his head. And Jesus 
declared that the truth will set us free (John 8:32). But, when the 
right combination of circumstances came along, Jim discovered that he 
wasn't free at all.

Why?

Because truth in our heads won't change lies in our hearts. This is why 
you can pump all kinds of truth into your head and still sin.

David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clarifies the real need 
in Psalm 51:6: "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me 
wisdom in the inmost place."

How do you get truth to the inner parts?

You open the door to Jesus. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus tells us that He 
stands at the door knocking, waiting for us to open the door to Him. We 
like to use this verse as a salvation text. But I believe it is also a 
guide to the Christian life. Yes, we open the front door of our hearts 
to Christ at the moment of conversion. But throughout our lives, Christ 
is knocking at the doors inside our hearts. In every place where our 
hearts harbor pain-causing lies, Jesus wants to bring soothing, 
encouraging truth.

Put another way, there is simply no substitute for experiencing God. 
There are no shortcuts. God doesn't want us to just know /about/ Him; He 
wants us to know Him.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

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