Proverbs 6:18

There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: a heart that plots evil…

Before God covered the earth with a flood, He saw that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). While most of us can’t see ourselves fitting into that description, it is important to note that God was not referring to their actions or their words…He was referring to the thoughts of their hearts. Would you like all of your deep thoughts put on display for the world to see? Probably not.

God is pointing out a particular kind of thought that can reside in our hearts – the kind that plots to do evil. Have you ever spent time figuring out how you can get back at someone? Have you ever spent a few minutes deciding what you have to do in order to get away with something? Perhaps trying to cook up the perfect comeback? Some way to burn your competition or make them pay for what they have done to you? Maybe you are a little closer to the folks in Noah’s day than you think.

We all have to battle temptation on a daily basis (1 Cor. 10:13), but that tends to be an attack from outside the camp. With respect to today’s object of God’s hatred, the temptation is self-inflicted. You cook up the plan. You ponder the results. You willingly turn your heart into the devil’s workshop. It seems Jeremiah knew what he was talking about in in chapter 17 and verse 9 of his book.

So, what do we do in order to stay the course of holiness? How do we keep our hearts from devising these wicked schemes?

First, you have to “take every thought captive that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:5). Second, pray and ask God to “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10). Finally, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” ( Phil. 4:8).