Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

In the King James Version of the Bible Jeremiah 17:9 reads: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it.” This verse came to mind the day after I had received news that a young man in my extended family had been murdered. Living overseas as I do I had only encountered him twice. In the only real conversation we had I was trying to explain the Gospel of salvation to him. He seemed receptive but, like so many, he wanted to think about it some more. In the years since then I know my sister lived a Christ-like life before him and had been kind to him. In turn, he would show up to lend a hand with chores in her home. At this point I do not know if he ever made a decision for Christ, nor are the circumstances of his death known.

The news had disturbed me deeply, more so because the setting is a rural village which in childhood was idyllic and a real haven. The idea that crime is now common place there is unfathomable to me. The question that kept playing in my mind overnight though was: Dear God, how does one human being get to the point where he can look at another and slay him with no qualms whatsoever? True, murder has existed since Cain killed his brother Abel, but when it hits home it still floors you.

The Scripture quoted above says it’s a heart condition. A heart that has grown cold and no longer reflects the nature of its Creator. In Genesis 9:4-6 the Lord said to Noah: “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.”  While there is forgiveness with God for all sins, including murder, we are left in no doubt as to how much he abhors the shedding of innocent blood.

Jesus provided his disciples with an explanation of what defiles a man: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Matthew 15:19). Guard your heart even at the very “thought” stage.