The heart is so important: ‘All your ways seem right to you, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice’ (vv.2–3).
‘Clean living before God and justice with our neighbours means far more to God than religious performance’ (v.3, MSG). ‘The lamp of the Lordsearches the human spirit; itsearches out the inmost being’ (20:27). I try to pray regularly as the psalmist prays, ‘Search me, O God… and see if there is any wicked way in me’ (Psalm 139:23–4, RSV).
I also pray this for other people. Proverbs 20:27 is a very useful verse in prayer ministry. If someone feels that they are wrestling with something they can’t quite put their finger on, I ask the Spirit of God to search their heart to reveal if there is any sin that needs to be dealt with.
God never gives a nebulous feeling of guilt. If a feeling of guilt is of the Holy Spirit, he will reveal the specific sin that needs to be dealt with. If something wrong comes to mind, repentance leads to forgiveness through Jesus.
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