stoneheartOver the years I have often heard parents say, “I know my son/daughter would not do something like that!” or “I know my child’s heart and they are not capable of doing or saying such and such!”

I sometimes wonder if a parent is so blind to actually believe they know what lies in the heart and soul of a son or daughter.  If we are honest, we have enough trouble defining our own hearts, thoughts and emotions!

Solomon identifies in Proverbs 14:10 the blindness we all share when it comes to knowing the thoughts and emotions bound in the heart of another.

Proverbs 14:10“The heart [mind, thoughts] knoweth [reflects on; knows by experience] his own bitterness [trouble]; and a stranger[someone outside yourself; another person] doth not intermeddle [intermingle; exchange; trade] with his joy [gladness; rejoicing].

You may not want to face the ugliness of your sinful heart; however, most of us have prideful heartto admit we know when our hearts are overrun by anger, bitterness and envy.  We might blame shift, deny and excuse our sinful thoughts and emotions; however, we know when our heart is not right toward another.

Solomon also observes that, though we might share another’s joy or empathize with their disappointments, it is impossible for us to fully understand what abides in another man’s soul.

My friend, the next time you feel the temptation to pass judgment or affirm another’s heart or motive—stop and realize it is impossible!

Matthew 7:1-5 – “Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith