How God Exposes Hidden Agendas

“The heart is deceitful above all things And it is extremely sick;
Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives?”

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,
    a puzzle that no one can figure out.
But I, God, search the heart
    and examine the mind.
I get to the heart of the human.
    I get to the root of things.
I treat them as they really are,
    not as they pretend to be.”

Jeremiah 17:9 AMP | Jeremiah 17:9-10 MSG

Today’s post explores how God addressed the issues that erode the faith of believers. Let’s get into them:

PRUNING (Spiritual Decluttering)

“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

– 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

One thing we observe in this verse is that God does not accept a heart that is not fully submitted to Him. That would be unwise, as a duplicitous heart produces treachery. Instead, God expects us to submit ourselves completely, choosing to forgo all other options. This is typically accomplished through the process of pruning. The pruning process can take some time, mainly because dealing with the heart involves multiple factors, such as past experiences, unconscious desires, fears and unhealed trauma. As God walks us through each of these areas, we experience what is known as deliverance. Deliverance is the process of unentangling one’s heart and mind from spiritual clutter (i.e. slothfulness, resentment, bitterness, shame, pride, selfish ambition, jealousy, legalism, rejection, etc.). The end result is a pure heart that is willing to submit and a mindset that maintains truth concerning God’s character. Both of these help us to live in obedience to God.

Here are some additional Scriptures to highlight this:

• “The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.” – Psalms 51:17 NLT
• “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” – 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

DESPERATION (Spiritual Hunger/Spiritual Poverty)

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

– Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

A willing heart is desperate to remain in communion with God. Humanity has an inherent eternal need that can only be filled by God. However, those who deny this longing for God by filling it with other things, known as idols, fail to experience communion with God and live a life beneath God’s intended purpose for them. This disconnection is responsible for much of what ails humanity (i.e. anxiety, depression, addiction, relational problems, health issues, financial struggles, etc.). The wisdom of God is needed in order to live a life of true abundance and meaning. This blessing is reserved for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as well as the Holy Spirit. Anything less than this leads to a life of disorder.

Here is an additional Scripture to highlight this:

• “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” – James 3:13-16 NIV

CONVICTION (Spiritual Awakening)

“At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’”

– Luke 22:61 NLT

A heart of desperation towards God allows for conviction to have its intended effect, repentance. In this verse, Jesus was acknowledging Peter’s internal withdrawal from Him. Distancing one’s heart and soul from God exposes a desire to be “free” of Him. Though it is impossible to go beyond God’s reach, many people spend their lives running away from God’s correction. Discipline is a necessity that, when avoided, leads to a life of sorrow. Similarly, living in a state of opposition towards God leads to one’s destruction.

Here are some additional Scriptures to highlight this:

• “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” – Psalms 139:7 NIV
• “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” – 1 Timothy 1:19 NLT
• “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”  – Luke 22:32 NIV
• “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven.” – Matthew 12:30-31 NLT
  • Blasphemy – cursing, criticizing, denouncing or vilifying God
    • “In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” – Job 1:22 NLT
    • “His wife said to him, ‘Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.’ But Job replied, ‘You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?’ So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” – Job 2:9-10 NLT

The key takeaway in all of this is the undeniable nature of God’s Sovereignty. This should not cause fear but reverence. God, in His abundant mercy, continues to work on the inner struggles of humanity, healing and delivering His people so that we may experience His promises. May this encouragement remind us to allow God to complete His perfect work within us.

Until next time,

Be well.

Songs Selections: This Is How I Thank The Lord by MSC Music; Lovesick by Maverick City Music; Eternity by Chantelle Rutendo