INTRODUCTION

Long before sin manifests itself to the eyes of men, it develops, plots, schemes, and finalizes in the heart of the guilty. Before a man steals the heart of an individual not belonging to him, he determines to do so in his heart. Before a man breaks into the home of another man and takes something that does not belong to him, he decides to do so in his heart. Before a man steals time or supplies from his company, he chooses to do so in his heart. Before a man determines to keep back something belonging to God, he premeditates the act in his heart. Therefore, a man can get right with God before the sin of his heart manifests itself to the hurt of others.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Anything we do begins in the heart (Proverbs 4:23Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
  See All...; Proverbs 23:7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
  See All...a). Everyone’s heart is wicked (Jeremiah 17:9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
  See All...). A thief marks his house beforehand (Job 24:14The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
  See All..., 16). Only God can help us do right (Psalm 119:11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
  See All...; Proverbs 4:20-27 [20] My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. [21] Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. [22] For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. [23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. [24] Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. [25] Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. [26] Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. [27] Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
  See All...; Jeremiah 4:14O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
  See All...).
• Why is it important to realize that sin originates in the heart? How does this enable a man to change his mind and direction before he performs the act of his heart?
• Are you presently taking something that does not belong to you? How long has that sin been festering in your heart? Will you get it right and stop taking what is not yours?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to slow the process between the hidden and visible sins.
• Ask the Lord to keep you from the sin of stealing.

HYMN

Come to the Saviour Now

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