Bully Heart

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1 John 3:19–21 (KJV)And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

What it is speaking to me:

There are two kinds of people in this world. People who love The Princess Bride, and people who don't. My wife doesn't. That she doesn't is entirely beside the point of this devotional, just telling someone else helps me cope. Thank you for hearing me out.

Anyway, in The Princess Bride, Carol Kane plays Valerie, Miracle Max's witch, erm I mean, wife. She bursts into the scene with her arm extended, pointing with a little witchy finger, shrieking "Liar!! LIIIARRRRR!!!"

When I read these verses, I think that is kind of the spirit in which our hearts can condemn us. There are times our hearts are maybe too nice, too forgiving of the things we do, especially things we probably shouldn't do.

But sometimes, maybe even more often depending on your personality and background, your heart can be a downright bully. It beats you up about your past, about your present, your future. It reminds you of the ways that you have failed, the ways you are failing right this second (even if you really aren't), and the ways you will fail in the future (something it can't even know!). And the greater trouble is, because it's OUR heart, we listen. It's kind of hard not to.

The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that our hearts are "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jer 17:9). The apostle John is trying to encourage us — if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our hearts. He made them (Ps 33:15), He put in a new one (Ezk 36:26), and He made it His home (Eph 3:17).

If God who is greater isn't holding your past over you, what right does your heart have to?

What is it saying to you?

Why do you listen to your heart when it condemns you?

Why is it hard not to?

How do you inhabit the truth of these verses in your daily walk?

What are we going to do about it?

Acknowledge a past or present failure that has made your heart condemn and shame you, and choose to rest instead in God's estimation of you today.