The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?
–Jeremiah 17:9
The Bible says our desires have been corrupted by sin. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” Perhaps the best diagnosis of the condition of our hearts comes from the apostle Paul. Quoting Psalm 14 and Psalm 53, he wrote, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one” (Romans 3:10–12). Pretty depressing. Paul said there is not one good person who roams the planet.
You might say, “Paul, aren’t you exaggerating just a little bit? What about all the people who volunteer at nursing homes or give to charity? How can you say no one does anything good?” These verses support what we call the doctrine of total depravity, the idea that humans are totally depraved apart from Christ. That doesn’t mean everybody is as bad as we possibly could be; it means sin has contaminated every part of our lives–our thoughts, our motives, and even our desires. Our desires have been corrupted by sin. (Jeffress)
We can easily do good things for the wrong motive or desire. Where is this desire and motivation to be found that is not encompassed with sinfulness? How can we examine our desires and motives? God’s Word! His Word says that everyone will be judged for their thoughts and intentions. We will stand exposed, without excuse, and judged in the light of God’s holiness. Every thought will be exposed. Every single intention will be exposed. We are infected with sin and it permeates out of our hearts and minds. That’s pretty depressing! If it were not for Jesus Christ we would all be doomed.
It does us good to examine our desires and motives in the light of God’s Word. In His Word and through the filling of the Holy Spirit our desires will be illuminated and exposed for what they are. We can know and repent and seek to have right thoughts and intentions.
The place to start is to intentionally choose a life that is diligent and full of desire to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions every moment of every day.
