The Apostle John, apparently ignorant of the moral of most Disney movies, does not trust the human heart as a faithful guide to truth. In fact, he sees the heart as in need of reassurance and as a possible source of condemnation. These realities are in keeping with what Jeremiah the prophet said about the heart – that it is “desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Whether through John or Jeremiah or another human mouthpiece, God’s testimony about the heart is clear – if you want to discover truth, do not look within your heart, look outside of yourself. True, Christians have been regenerated and our hearts are being renewed, but even as believers, we are to base our confidence in God, who knows all things, and not in our hearts, which still lie to us from time to time.
Many of us can relate to this struggle. Our hearts condemn us. Sometimes we bear the guilt and shame of sin and forget the promise that there is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (Romans 5:1). Sometimes our hearts are cold and seem to lack a connection to God. There are mornings when true, blood-bought, born-again sons and daughters of the Most High just . . . don’t feel saved when they arise.
Thank God our salvation is not based on the shifting sands of our emotions, but on the solid rock of Jesus Christ! Your heart may condemn you, but God is greater than your heart (v20). If we believe on Christ, love one another, and follow his commands, the Spirit of God will testify to us that we indeed are born of God.
