NEGATIVE HEART TRAITS (1)

“PERVERSITY is in his HEART, he devises evil continually, he sows discord” – Proverbs 6:14

In order to appreciate the positive, we must understand the NEGATIVE HEART TRAITS to eschew: “PERVERSITY is in his HEART, he devises evil continually, he sows discord” (Pro.6:14). This sixth chapter of Proverbs presents two sets of warnings against: idleness and falsehood (vv.1-19); and adultery (vv.20-35). It also refers to three kinds of Heart: the deceitful or perverse heart (v.14); the heart that devises wicked schemes (v.18); and the lusting heart (v.25). As we meditate on God’s Word about these vices, the Holy Spirit will empower us not only to live in Victory over every such trait, but to not be victims of those who practise them.

The deceitful or perverse heart: “Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord” (v.14). Deceit, deception, perversity, perverseness, or perversion, are typical of the unregenerated heart: “The HEART is DECEITFUL above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jer.17:9). God however assured of His authority over and ability to seach and test all hearts: “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jer.17:10). The New International Vesron says such a person, “plots evil with deceit in his heart.” The New Living Translation says, “Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble.” The result of deceit is sudden calamity without remedy (v.15).

The corrupt heart: Other translations use the word “corrupt” in place of “deceitful” – “Their hearts are CORRUPT and determined to do evil; they create controversies all the time” (Pro.6:14, Common English Bible). The deceptive and corrupt person is described as worthless and wicked (vv.12-13). The effects of such a person’s heart-attitude and actions are disunity and strife. When the heart relishes wickedness and self-interest instead of God, it creates conflict and stirs up anger and controversies between people. The apostle John identified a man named Diotrephes as a sower of discord (3Jh.1:9-10). The goals of sowers of discord are disruption, conflict, and needless strife. The apostle Paul also identified Alexander the coppersmith as one who created disunity (1Tim.4:14-15).

The wicked heart: This is “a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil” (v.18). This is a heart that devises wicked imaginations, schemes, or plans. Carriers of such a heart are called “worthless” and “crooked” and associated with a list of attitudes and actions which God hates and finds repulsive. The wicked heart is listed as one of “six things the LORD hates.” Others are: “a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed blood…a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (vv.16-19). In other words: arrogance, deceit, violence against the innocent, falsehood, and discord. Unless the Lord rules a heart, sin does, and the outcome is evil conduct. God hates not only a heart that plots evil but also feet that carry them out!

The lusting or lustful heart: “Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids” (v.25). Solomon recognized the role of the heart in making moral decisions; hence he warned his son not to desire the evil woman's beauty in his heart. Outward beauty is worthless without godliness: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised” (Pro.31:30). Therefore women are admonished: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel – rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1Pet.3:3-4). True beauty is on the inside. A person who falls for the beauty of a temptress or tempter may discover quickly and too late that attractiveness is a façade that hides an ugly and painful trap!

By the Power of God’s Word and the abiding Presence of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid and live above every negative heart trait!