If Our Heart Condemn Us

 Hereby shall we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before him: because if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 1 John 3:19-20

At some point in our spiritual lives, most of us have been plagued with self-doubt regarding our relationship with God. Our hearts condemn us and we conclude that if our hearts so convict us, God’s evaluation must be equally severe.

In order to overcome such feelings of uncertainty, I need to familiarize myself with First John. Among other things, John’s message is: (1) God wants us to have boldness (“confidence, cheerful courage” Vine), 1 Jo. 2:28; 3:21; 4:17; 5:14, about our relationship with Him. (2) With the phrase “hereby we know” God tells his children how they can know certain things that can give them this confidence (2:3,5-6,18; 3:16,19,24; 4:2,6,13; 5:2).

Especially helpful in regard to the foreboding thoughts mentioned above is a consideration of the text cited at the beginning of this article. While it is true that God knows of our failures and weaknesses we need to remember that “he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind” of our spirits (Rom. 8:27). Being greater than our hearts, He knows us and our hearts better than we do and He knows all the things about our spiritual condition better than we can know them.

Our hearts can be harsh and deceitful judges but thanks be to God that His judgments are righteous and true (Rev. 16:5).

 David Smitherman