In Him was life and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

If I don’t have love I am nothing. 1 Cor. 13:2

One of the most important things we can have as a believer in Jesus is a clear view of our heart. Like everything else in God, this is only available if you want it, if you want to look. Most of us don’t want to look.

We might not be consciously aware that we don’t want to look but there are ways of knowing that we don’t. Many people can’t live without constant distracting media. The TV always on, constant scrolling of social media, music streaming in the background.

Jeremiah captured the reason we don’t want to look at our hearts very well when he said it is deceitful above all else and desperately wicked, who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Then God goes on to say this:

I the Lord search the heart
    and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
    according to what their deeds deserve.

Note the three fold engagement of God with us: Heart, Mind and Conduct.

So He starts with our heart- searching it out: “What do you really want?” He asks (John 1:38). A truthful heart will normally answer with some base need driven by a past lack or hurt. Or perhaps a resentment or grudge against someone that harmed it. Or any number of other evils (Matthew 15:18-20).

So God already knows the thoughts and intentions of your heart. When He shines His light on it and exposes your darkest thoughts and intentions it is for your sake not His.

Now the light has shone on your heart and its wickedness is exposed. What then? He examines your mind’s reaction to the thoughts and intentions of your heart. Hold that thought! (2 Cor. 10:5). This is where you decide what you really want.

The trouble with the heart is that it drives everything else whether you like it or not. Out of it flow all the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). However our will is free so we can choose with our minds what to do with the intent of our hearts.

But really we only have one choice: Lay it before Him, trust Him with it. You may be surprised at the answer you get. God made everything good in the beginning.

As you let this happen, let him search and examine, then your conduct will change for the better. And in the end you will be rewarded based on your conduct (Matt. 25:14-30, 31-46).

But the best reward, as it turns out, is a clearer view of His heart.