Psalm 66:18

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

Psalm 66:18

There are some verses in the Bible I just don’t like and this is one of them. Yet this verse is meant to be an encouragement and not a judgment. It’s a reminder to us the Lord wants to hear our prayers and it is only our actions that hinder that.

Notice this verse isn’t even about the sins we commit, but the sins in our hearts. Jesus pointed this out numerous times in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). He said adultery starts with lust not the act, and murder starts with anger not the actual killing. We can go through our lives looking great on the outside but having wickedness in our hearts.

It’s so important to me that the Lord is hearing my prayers, so I’m constantly having God examine my heart. The wonderful thing is the Lord is faithful and just to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9).

Cleanse me, O Lord,

Pastor Ron Kitchell