Proverbs

Proverbs 20: The LORD searches the heart

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the question about who can claim a pure heart, let us be honest before God. Ask Him to search our thoughts and teach us to wait for His justice.

“You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice.

Exodus 23:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Search the hidden places of our hearts. Show us our need of Jesus, and teach us honest work, faithful words and patient trust. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Wine and beer lead people astray, and wisdom keeps away from quarrels. A person can claim faithfulness, yet no one can boast of making his own heart pure. God made the seeing eye and hearing ear, and He hates dishonest weights and deceptive dealing. “Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.” Rash vows trap, and a quickly gained inheritance ends without blessing. The injured person must wait for the LORD instead of promising revenge, while a wise king judges and removes evil. The LORD searches the inward life, and painful correction cleanses away evil and reaches the heart.

As you read Proverbs 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD searches every heart, and no one can make his own heart pure.

The buyer calls goods worthless, then boasts after gaining the bargain. That small scene exposes deceit which can hide beneath ordinary negotiation. Differing weights do the same by making cheating appear fair. God uses the human spirit like a lamp, searching the thoughts and purposes within. Even the steps we cannot understand are under His direction. No person can claim to have made his own heart pure. Waiting for the LORD instead of taking revenge entrusts justice to the One who sees. A wise king separates and judges the wicked, while painful correction cleanses away evil within the heart.

How does Proverbs 20 show us that the LORD searches every heart, and no one can make his own heart pure?

God searches what our good claims can hide.

People readily claim unfailing love. The question about a pure heart exposes the gap between a claim and reality. The God who made sight and hearing searches every inward part.

God’s rule calls for honest and patient conduct.

Dishonest scales and deceptive bargains are hateful to the LORD. The wronged person must wait for Him instead of declaring revenge. A wise king judges evil, while love and faithfulness sustain his throne.

Memorise

The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.

Proverbs 20:27

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what hidden motive do I need to confess to Jesus?

None of us can say, “I have made my heart pure.” No sinner can remove his own guilt. God’s light reaches the inward life that other people cannot see.

Jesus came with a pure heart to save His people from sin. He bore their guilt and judgment at the cross, dying for them. His resurrection broke death’s hold, and He rose as the living Savior. The price of their redemption was paid in full.

Come to Him in repentance and trust. Turn from your sin and rest in Jesus for forgiveness. His blood cleanses everyone who believes. Let the God who searches the heart teach you honesty and patience while you wait for His justice.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sees the hidden motives of every heart, and no one can say his heart is pure. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for searching the heart and judging with truth. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:11

Lord, thank You for seeing the thoughts we cannot hide. Please lead us to confess our guilt and trust the cleansing mercy of Jesus. Help us speak honestly, keep our promises and wait for Your justice. Give our family patient hearts when we are wronged. Amen.