INIQUITY IN THEHEART

(Psa. 66:18)

I. A PERSONAL ISSUE: “ If I.”

1. Not focused on others.

2. An honest man!

3. Tendency to look at others’ sins.

a. Every sermon is always for the other fellow.

b. “I talking about YOU” would wake us up!

4. 1 Jn. 1:8-10—Deceive ourselves, truth not in us, make God a liar, his word not in us.

II. A HEART ISSUE.

1. “…in my HEART…”

a. Heart devious—Jer. 17:9, 10.

b. God judges even the heart—1 Chr. 28:9.

c. Isa. 66:18—I know their works and their thoughts (intentions!).

d. Heb. 4:12, 13.

2. “Regard”—

a. Not merely momentary weakness.

b. Not mere passing thought, no matter how sinful.

c. But “regard” it with fervor!

(a) 1 Jn. 2:15—To love it—Love for world—Heart set on it.

(b) Eph. 4:19 (“with a desire for more and more”, Holman Christian Standard Bibe), gave themselves over to it, literally surrendered to it!—To enjoy it—Take pleasure in it.

(c) Rom. 1:32—To approve it.

(d) Gen. 6:25—To give over to it completely.

(e) Rom. 13:14—To provide for it, feed it—“Make not provision…”

(f) Excusing it as others’ rights if they choose to live in it!

(g) Letting it live there.

3. How deal with iniquity in heart?

a. Face it!—Prov. 28:13.

b. Replace it!

(a) Phil. 4:8—With good thoughts.

(b) Psa. 119:11—Word hid in heart.

(c) Mk. 4:15—Devil takes away word—Doesn’t want you to let it work in you!

(d) 1 Thes. 2:13.

III. A DIVINE REJECTION ISSUE.

1. “The Lord will not hear me.”

2. Prov. 28:9—“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer…”

3. Heart must be pure to be accepted.

4. James 4:8—Draw night—Purify heart.

5. Heart must be pure to pray acceptably, etc.

6. God measures the whole person.

CONC.

1. Prov. 4:23—“Keep thy heart…”

2. What about YOUR heart?

3. The heart determines actions.