“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27).
When the Psalmist says, “Create in me a clean heart and a right spirit within me,” he was not talking about looking good. He was talking about what goes on in the heart. We all have things going on within us that are more wicked than another whom we might accuse, who did some outward act. A murderer murders once. One who murders in their heart, is a serial murderer. Sin inside is just as bad as sin acted out.
Lord, I do have many things that have gone on in my heart which only You and I know about. You are telling me that my inward life is every bit as important as my outward life. Lead me away from pretending to be good in order that I might practice that which is right and true. Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to be honest with myself so that the Holy Spirit can make my heart clean.
Lord Jesus, I often say clean me up, but inwardly I am really saying, “but not yet.” I have a spirit in me that is unchaste and sees things selfishly, looking upon my neighbor as a thing. Guide me, dear Savior, in Your goodness to live into my life for which You gave Your life in order that I would be able to obtain true life. Guide me by grace in the upward path of becoming more like You each day. Thank You, Lord, for confronting me honestly so that I may truly be saved. Amen.
