Our Heart's Intention
The LORD said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth."
GENESIS 8:21
+
Our Heart's Intention
Careful note must be taken of this passage, since it clearly shows that the nature of man is corrupt. This knowledge of our corrupt nature is necessary above all else; without it the mercy and grace of God cannot be properly understood. . .. Even though these inclinations can be corrected or restrained to some extent by discipline, they cannot be removed from the heart entirely, as their traces prove after we have grown up. The crude little verse is true: "In his old age the angelic child behaves like Satan." God indeed incites some men to natural drives that are good; but this happens beyond nature, as when Cyrus is incited to restore the worship of God and to preserve the Church (Ezra 1:2). These actions do not belong to human nature; for where God is with His Spirit, there is no longer the imagination of the human heart but the imagination of God. There God dwells through the Word and the Spirit of God. Of such things Moses is not speaking in this passage; he is speaking solely of men who lack the Holy Spirit. These are evil even when they are at their best.
GENESIS 8:21
+
Our Heart's Intention
Careful note must be taken of this passage, since it clearly shows that the nature of man is corrupt. This knowledge of our corrupt nature is necessary above all else; without it the mercy and grace of God cannot be properly understood. . .. Even though these inclinations can be corrected or restrained to some extent by discipline, they cannot be removed from the heart entirely, as their traces prove after we have grown up. The crude little verse is true: "In his old age the angelic child behaves like Satan." God indeed incites some men to natural drives that are good; but this happens beyond nature, as when Cyrus is incited to restore the worship of God and to preserve the Church (Ezra 1:2). These actions do not belong to human nature; for where God is with His Spirit, there is no longer the imagination of the human heart but the imagination of God. There God dwells through the Word and the Spirit of God. Of such things Moses is not speaking in this passage; he is speaking solely of men who lack the Holy Spirit. These are evil even when they are at their best.
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Not AshamedIn Every RespectWe Are In His HouseHear His VoiceTodayBut You BelieveRest in ChristRest in FaithRest in Christ’s WordConfidence in Our Great High PriestOur Eternal High PriestCalled by GracePerfect Through SufferingA Little MilkFoundationGod Comes to UsFaith in ChristObtaining the PromiseThe King of PeaceBlessed by the SuperiorA Priest Forever in ChristThe Forever PriestA Better HopeOur Eternal IntercessorOur Perfect High PriestOur Eternal High PriestThe Better Covenant in ChristA New CovenantPromises KeptOnly The High PriestNot the Blood of Goats
February
Only at DeathOnce and For AllImpossibleThe Perfect SacrificeThe Once-for-All SacrificeOnce for AllForgiven Once for AllDraw Near with a True HeartA Fearful ThingRemembering with JoyEnduranceOf Things Not SeenBecause of LoveBy FaithThe Builder is GodAs Good As DeadStrangers HereFaith in the God Who ProvidesFaith Looks Beyond the PresentBy Faith, Not FearBy Faith, Not by SightFaith That EnduresPerfected in ChristEyes on JesusDisciplineCast His Eye On YouIt HurtsWeak Knees
March
Strive for PeaceNo Fire For YouMount ZionAn Unshakable KingdomA Kingdom That Cannot Be ShakenBrotherly Love in ChristConfidence in ChristSteadfast in ChristOutside the CampSacrifices of PraiseJoyful Obedience in ChristPray for Your PastorsEquipped by the Blood of ChristEncouragement in ChristGrace Be With You AllGod’s Sovereign HandFaithful in a Foreign LandFaithful in the Small ThingsTrusting GodWisdom from AboveEarthly Wisdom Fails, But Christ ReignsTrue Wisdom and the CrossThe Wisdom of Man FailsConfidence in God's MercyGod of Mercy and MightA Deliverer Sent by GodNo Wisdom but ChristThe Kingdom That EnduresThe Rock That Stands ForeverEarthly Kingdoms CrumbleThe Kingdom That Stands Forever