“The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit”

Proverbs 12:5 AMP

In today’s verse we deal with the internal thoughts of a man. The word plans here is actually the Hebrew word thoughts or better translates, intentions. We are talking about the drive and compulsions that motivate an individual. Since the fall of man his intentions and thoughts have been gear toward evil. We read in the book of Genesis,

“Then the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive and remain with man forever, because he is indeed flesh [sinful, corrupt–given over to sensual appetites]; nevertheless his days shall yet be a hundred and twenty years.”

Genesis 3:3 AMP

“The LORD saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually.” Genesis 3:5 AMP

What a sad testimony about the reality of sin in our lives! God had created man in His image, and he was to rule and reign in peace and happiness. Matthew records the words of Jesus,

““Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things. 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.”

Matthew 12:33-36 AMP

The issue in all our lives reside in the heart. They are the issues that motivate and drive us in particular directions. When we see and athlete accomplish great feats of endurance, we say that they have a “heart for success.” It is that deep down motivation that needs to be brought into subjection to the Word of God. Look at the words of Psalms 19,

“Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins; Let them not rule and have control over me. Then I will be blameless (complete), And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, LORD, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalms 19:13-14 AMP

Do you see it? “the meditation of my heart.” The heart is the thing that needs surgery! The Psalmist here is clearly stating that he needs to get control of his heart by keeping God’s word so that he might not sin against God! The Apostle Paul said it plainly and clearly,

“So I find it to be the law [of my inner self], that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22For I joyfully delight in the law of God in my inner self [with my new nature], 23but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members. 24Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? 

Romans 7:21-24 AMP          

Remember what Jesus said? “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit. It is about the soil that the tree is planted in! If you plant the seeds of God’s word in the soil of a renewed heart, it will produce life. If you plant the evil thoughts of you mind in the soil of the flesh, death and destruction is sure to follow! 

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken