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In our journey through life, we often encounter challenges that seem insurmountable. We struggle with bad habits, destructive behaviors, and patterns that we just can't seem to break. Many of us have tried everything - from reading more, praying more, exercising more, to becoming less distracted. Yet, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves stuck in the same cycles. Why is that?

The answer lies not in our external actions, but in the very core of our being - our hearts. As the prophet Jeremiah wisely observed, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). This profound statement reveals a fundamental truth about human nature: the root of our problems often lies deeper than we realize.

Consider for a moment the person who loses their temper in traffic, the individual struggling with addiction, or someone battling with overeating. These external behaviors are merely symptoms of a deeper, internal issue. They are, in essence, matters of the heart.

James 1:14-15 provides a stark illustration of this process: "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." This passage paints a vivid picture of how unchecked heart issues can lead to destructive outcomes in our lives.

So, how do we address these heart issues? How do we stop this cycle from destroying our purpose and relationships? The answer lies in cultivating a habit of self-examination.

King David, known as a man after God's own heart, understood the importance of this practice. In Psalm 139:23-24, he prays, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" This prayer is a powerful example of inviting God to reveal areas in our lives that need change.

However, even David, with his close relationship with God, was not immune to the deception of his own heart. The story of his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) serves as a sobering reminder of how easily we can deceive ourselves when we neglect self-examination.

We are indeed masters of self-deception, often lying to ourselves without a second thought. This self-deception can manifest in various ways:

1. Addiction to Distraction: We use things like pornography, news, work, alcohol, video games, or social media to avoid facing ourselves.
2. Manic Cheeriness: We insist that everything is great, refusing to acknowledge any problems.
3. Judgmentalism: We focus on the faults of others to avoid looking at our own.
4. Defensiveness: We become easily offended and refuse to admit our faults.
5. Cynicism: We believe everything and everyone else is the problem, never ourselves.

These manifestations of self-deception can prevent us from facing the truth about ourselves. But how can we recognize when we have unresolved heart issues? Here are three warning signs:

1. Watch for what others have repeatedly tried to tell you.
2. Be aware of what you often rationalize or justify.
3. Pay attention to areas where you're most defensive.

Remember, the more convinced you are that you don't have a problem, the more likely it is that you do.

The story of Martha and Lazarus in John 11 provides a powerful illustration of how our hearts can deceive us even in matters of faith. When Jesus told Martha that her brother would rise again, she responded with theological knowledge rather than faith in Jesus' present power. Even when Jesus explicitly stated, "I am the resurrection and the life," Martha's heart struggled to fully believe.

This story highlights a crucial point: many of our heart issues as believers stem from having knowledge about Jesus without truly knowing Him. We may believe in our heads, but our hearts remain unconvinced of His power to change our current circumstances.

The good news is that Jesus is the ultimate heart-healer. He is the one who leaves the 99 to save the one lost sheep. No heart issue is beyond His ability to heal. Our task is to stop lying to ourselves about who Jesus is and what He can do in our lives.

Developing the habit of self-examination is key to cultivating a heart that truly knows Jesus. It reveals not just the truth about ourselves, but also the truth of who we are in Christ. As we allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, we'll find that our habits - and ultimately our lives - begin to change as well.

In conclusion, remember these key points:

1. If you want to change your life, change your habits.
2. If you want to change your habits, let God change your heart.
3. You cannot change what you won't confront.

Let's take a moment to reflect and pray, inviting God to examine our hearts:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24)

As we cultivate this habit of self-examination and openness to God's correction, we open ourselves to transformative healing and growth. We move beyond mere knowledge of Jesus to a deep, life-changing relationship with Him. In doing so, we embark on a journey towards a truly healthy heart - one that beats in sync with God's own heart.