I
HAVE BEEN MUSING over something. Now before you all get upset with me.
Think for a moment "with me" before you begin TO DISDAIN ME.
We
all know God knows our every thought. We do not know another's every
thought. We often quote, including myself from Samuel 16:7
"But
the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the
height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
This verse is used very often to say you can't possibly know about me
or have a clue about my heart. However let us look closer at the context
of this verse:
Samuel17:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look
not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have
refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said,
There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And
Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down
till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he
was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look
to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
Here
is the scenario: Samuel is to anoint a king for Israel. God sends him to
Jesse. Samuel has never met his sons. They come one by one. Samuel has
had no dealings with these men. He has not heard them speak but he does
notice:
16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:
Samuel is thinking as men. Here is a man, Eliab. He is tall and
physically stout. King Saul whom Samuel loved was of such stature. Saul
made a terrible king though and lost that honor.
Little David passes before him and God says this is the one to anoint king.
CONSIDER: Samuel was a prophet with considerable discernment. Had he
been able to spend a lot of time with each of these brothers the heart
of David would have been manifested to Samuel "BY HIS SPEECH AND
ACTIONS" as it later was!
What does the scripture say? Can we discern another's heart. To a great degree yes, if we spend time with them.
Matthew 15:Matthew 15:18-20
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the
heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness,
blasphemies: 20 These are the things which defile a man:
2 Samuel 14:1
Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.
Solomon knew his fathers heart: 1 Kings 3:6
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father
great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in
righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee;
We know a
wise heart receives commandments of the Lord and a Fools does not:
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the
wicked shall rot. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a
prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but
he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. Proverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
When you see a man seeking Godly Knowledge and teaching it you know something about his heart.---Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge:
Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
We know that the heart of fools is in the house of partying:
Ecclesiastes 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
We know a man's heart by knowing what he treasures: Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
As a man speaks his heart is revealed: Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A mans actions reveal his heart to all:Matthew 12:35
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good
things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil
things.
A man shows all a good heart by his fruits:Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good
heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with
patience.
Peter knew Simon's heart by his request: Acts 8:20-22
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou
hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: FOR THY HEART is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of THINE HEART may be forgiven thee.
An evil heart curses children and has eyes full of adultry, covets, and
beguiles unstable souls. 2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and
that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they
have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.
We
cannot know all of another's heart but these and other verses show we do
have a level of discernment on a man's heart by his ongoing words and
actions. On any given day one with a good heart can do an evil deed. But
watch and listen "over time"and a pattern appears. A man's heart is
manifested by his words, his treasure and his deeds.
1 John 3:7
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
-------Pastor Rodney Houston
