God Hates What?
A Heart that Devises Wicked Schemes

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 6:16-19, Philippians 2:1-11

Key Verses: Proverbs 6:19, Philippians 2:8

God hates… A heart that devises wicked schemes. When I think of this phrase, the first thing that comes to mind is all the times I try to make MY plan to control MY life. I plot, and I scheme, and I worry and stress over all the things I want to do, accomplish, be, pursue, all to fulfill some sense of “the good life,” “true happiness,” or what I think my life should look like based on my own wants and desires.

When things don’t work out the way I think they should, I complain, and stress and whine because at the core of it I realize that as hard as I try, I am not in control. My wicked schemes are an outpouring of my sinful heart that says I can do it better than you God.

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us though that the heart is deceitful above all else. How are our plans aligned with the plans of God? Do we consider His wants, His purposes, His plans above our own? Or are we still trying to steer the ship?

When we come to a place of replacing our interests with the interests of God, we soon find a confidence and a peace that knows no bounds because it is rooted in the God who has overcome the world, a God who is “making all things beautiful in its time.” Philippians 2:4 says, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Lord, forgive me when I scheme and plot to try and control my life and my future. This isn’t looking good, I’m 0-4. May I solely abide in you, I give you control, amen.