ROMANS 2:22

“You who say that one is not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who loathe idols, do you rob temples?”

Our hearts can be wicked things. We sacrifice what is good and holy for things that give us fleeting pleasures. When I read today’s verse in which Paul gives a couple of more questions to the Jews, it hit me that these were both heart issues. No one commits adultery if their heart is true to their spouse. No one is going to steal from God if their heart is devoted to Him. Let’s examine our hearts today and see where we stand.

Paul laid out a pretty flagrant sin when he mentioned adultery. I am sure Paul knew Pharisee with whom he had served who were adulterers. After all, women were seen as subservient and beneath men in their culture. Why not dishonor your wife by sleeping with another woman? And he probably also knew Pharisees who skimmed some of the temple funds or other items that were meant to go to God’s work. These were both “ouch” moments.

APPLICATION

In Matthew 6:20-21 Jesus tells us, “‘20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” Where is your heart today? You may not be committing adultery or stealing from the church, but is your heart true to our Father Who has given you all things?

We are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:36-38). If we do that, our hearts shall be directed toward purity and holiness. Those are foreign concepts today. I was in an Uber this weekend in the Dominican Republic. When my friends and I got in the car, the music was blaring. Did the driver turn it down? Nope! And the music (if you call it that) was all about women and treating them inappropriately. I actually told my friends when we got to our Airbnb that I felt I needed to go in and purify my ears.

Now I didn’t know that driver, but I can tell you that you cannot listen to that kind of music and walk holy before your God. Your heart will be divided. You will be pulled toward adulterous and idolatrous thoughts. I even felt myself being drawn to the beat of the music in that short car ride. Keep your hearts pure and devoted. God will give you the victories you need.

O Father, purify my heart and keep me focused on Your heart.

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