The Righteous One
How God Governs Evil Hearts
Aaron Lee | June 30, 2024 | FCBCW Children’s Worship | Proverbs 21
Introduction
Today we’re going to talk about our hearts. I don’t mean our physical hearts. I mean our thoughts, emotions, desires.
The Bible tells us that our hearts are evil. The world does not agree with this. The world says that most of us are good people. Romans 3:10 says that there is no one righteous, and Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. How does God handle our evil hearts?
Proverbs 21 shows us two ways that God governs evil hearts. Proverbs is a book of wisdom, so we will also see how we are to live wisely after knowing how God governs these evil hearts. Let’s get started.
1. God sees the evil heart
The first way God governs evil hearts is that God sees the evil heart. When I say that God sees, I mean that God knows what is inside our hearts. You cannot hide your heart from God. These verses from Proverbs 21 show that God sees the evil heart:
A guilty one’s conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. (Proverbs 21:8)
A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration[d] for his neighbor. (Proverbs 21:10)
The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! (Proverbs 2:27)
For me and you, our hearts are sometimes hard to see. Sometimes we can see our hearts by the things that we say or the things that we do – but that’s not always the case because we can sometimes hide what’s inside our heart. We might have ulterior motives. For example, we can say sorry but not really mean it. Or we can say we like something when we really don’t. Proverbs 21 tells us that God knows what is really inside our hearts.
Application: Don’t be a fake!
So, don’t be a fake! Don’t think that you can pretend and God won’t see what’s really inside your heart. Another way to say this is don’t be a hypocrite. If you are a Christian, you are called to be the same person – to have the same behavior – here at church and at school and in your home. And of course at church we always want our behavior to be honoring to God, so it should be the same at home and at school.
We can also apply this to our relationships with others. You should not be lying to your parents. You should not lie to your friends. Being fake also includes cheating on tests, or stealing what is not yours.
2. God is sovereign over the evil heart
The second way God governs evil hearts is that God is sovereign over the evil heart. When I say that God is sovereign, I mean that God will exercise his power, control, and authority over the evil heart. These verses from Proverbs 21 show that God is sovereign over the evil heart:
All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts. (Proverbs 21:2)
The lamp that guides the wicked—haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin. (Proverbs 21:4)
The Righteous One[e] considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin. (Proverbs 21:12)
We often think that if we don’t get caught then we won’t get punished. That might be true in the world – but this is not true when it comes to God. For example, you might have a prideful heart, but God is going to oppose you (Proverbs 3:34). Proverbs 21 tells us that evil hearts will be punished.
Application: Don’t be a fool!
So, don’t be a fool! Don’t think that God will not leave sin in your heart unpunished. Some people, even supposed Christians, will say that we can just keep on sinning more and more because God will forgive us. The Bible actually says that this is not the case – and if you think this then you might not actually be a Christian in the first place (Romans 6:1-2). Christians seek to eliminate the sin in our lives – even the ones that seem hidden in our heart.
The fact that God is sovereign over the heart is actually encouraging – because the Bible says that even when the world does not punish sin, God will. There is a lot of evil in the world that seemingly goes unpunished. God will have the final say. Christians should be encouraged that when evil happens to them, God will be faithful.
God Saves the Evil Heart
Earlier I mentioned that all our hearts are evil. Does God give us any help?
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
For those with broken and contrite hearts over their sin, God will give new hearts. Admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, and confess him as the resurrected King and Lord over your life.
Big Idea
God sees and is sovereign over evil. Repent from your sin and trust in God’s Son.