Proverbs 16:1–2: The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.
Insight
Ever since the Fall it has been second nature with man to justify himself. Till brought into the light of God’s holiness there is nothing of which he is generally so certain as the defensibleness of his own conduct. His ways are clean in his own eyes, but he is not to be trusted in his own judgment, for the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Jehovah weighs the spirits. His balances are exact. His judgment is unerring; and He it is who solemnly declares, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting!” 1
Application
God is not issuing a prohibition against making plans. In fact, He encourages us to seek Him in the establishing of those plans. But He also wants us to yield to Him before, during, and after everything we do. He knows our hearts and the motive behind all that we think and do. “There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.” Proverbs 30:12
Will you allow Him to purify your heart and your plans today?
Motivation
And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15
My plans are worthless without Your approval. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please help me to listen to You, and obey Your ways for me.
1. Ironside, H. A. (1908). Notes on the Book of Proverbs. Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Bros.
