“Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy”

Proverbs 12:20 AMP

Today our verse begins with the word deceit. The Hebrew word here is the meaning to “deliberately mislead so as to cause a person to have a false view in either words or actions; to cause disillusionment.” Satan from the begin has tried to “deliberately mislead” mankind. From the first lie told to Eve to this very day, the work of the enemy of our soul continues. We are living among a wicked generation that has been deceived by the gratification of their flesh and the greed of their hearts. In Genesis we read about a time very similar to our own!

“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. 6The LORD [c]regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart.”

Genesis 6:5 AMP

The Scripture describes that generation as having only evil thoughts d riving their actions. The word “wicked” here is the word meaning that which is not “morally pure or good according to a proper standard.” Society cannot exist without standards that govern its behaviors. As those rules and practices breakdown, so does society. We are witnessing that today! Job describes this perfectly,

““For the company of the godless is barren, And fire consumes the tents of bribery (wrong and injustice). 35“They conceive mischief and bring forth wickedness, And their inmost soul prepares deceit and fraud.”

Job 34-35 AMP

Notice that the Scripture describes the source of the problem, the heart. If you remember from our earlier studies, the book of Proverbs said,

“My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; Open your ears to my sayings. 21Do not let them escape from your sight; Keep them in the center of your heart. 22For they are life to those who find them, And healing and health to all their flesh. 23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:20-23 AMP

Do you remember verse 16?

“For the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil; And they are deprived of sleep unless they make someone stumble and fall. 17For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence. 18But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.”

Proverbs 4:16-18 AMP

Walking in the ways of the Lord bring peace and stability shining brightly as the day. There is only power on the face of the earth that can change a heart…the loving, forgiving, delivering power of the blood of Jesus Christ!  I clearly remember the night I fell on my knees and cried out to God. “Your word says that the blood of Jesus applied to the bondage of my sin can set me free. If that isn’t true, then I’m going to die!” The next morning when I got up, all the desire to do the drugs was gone! The Scripture is clear,

“So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free”

John 8:36 AMP

That was 42 years ago, and I can honestly say that I am free indeed! Let me encourage you to pray the same prayer as King David, “Lord, examine my heart and see if there is any wicked way within.” Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken