Humility and the fear of the Lord give us a proper perspective. We see ourselves for who we truly are - sinners, deserving of the wrath of God. We see God for who he is - holy, deserving of our worship. This perspective changes our life. It's what leads us down the path of wisdom. It's the path that brings "wealth and honor and life" (4). It's the path that guards our soul from wickedness and from the thorns and snares that come with wickedness (5).
How do you see yourself? Maybe that's all you see is yourself. Maybe you see things from an external perspective. This is how the Pharisees and the teachers of the law saw things when they saw the disciples eating food with hands that weren't washed (Mark 7:1-5). It was all about the outward stuff. Our good works become blinders to the realities in our heart. We are self deceived by thinking, "I pay my bills; provide for my family. I'm a nice guy. People like me. I go to church faithfully. I'm in a small group. I even read my Bible and pray every day", so my heart must be alright.
Jesus' response, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men" (Mark 7:6-7). There is that word again, "heart", that we've seen in abundance in Proverbs. They didn't fear the Lord and worship him. Their hearts were distant. They didn't enjoy and experience the presence of the Lord (see Phil. 4:4-9). They were doing the right stuff but there was no heart relationship with God.
Jesus addressed their problem by pointing to the heart. He taught that "it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.' " (Mark 7:15). "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'" (Mark 7:21-23).
It's there men. Don't be deceived. There are impurities in our hearts. We must humbly and deeply look at our hearts on a daily basis. Acknowledge what is there. Be vigilant. Guard our souls (Proverbs 22:5). Sin is there, but so is the Lord. Acknowledge His presence. Fear Him (22:4). Worship Him. Bow at his feet in humble confession and repentance. Embrace his forgiveness, grace and mercy.
What comes out of your heart will be the true test of where you are at with Him. Are you headed down the path of wisdom? Take a look around, what do you see? Do you see a humble heart that acknowledges sin? Do you see Him walking by your side, ready to make you holy and take you down paths of righteousness?
G.E.T.* the right heart perspective. Humble yourself. Fear the Lord.
*G.E.T. see May 21
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