“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12)
We recently discovered that, unbeknown to us, the sewage pipe for our upstairs toilet had been leaking. What a dreadful sight appeared when the walls were removed! Damage was being done to our house (and possibly to our health) for years.
There is a toxic “black mold” of the spirit that can be growing within us for a long time without our realization of the harm being done. David understood the danger that unrighteous and unchecked thoughts could cause. He prayed:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23,24)
Socrates recommended that we “know ourselves.” But one wiser than him said: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) We are not very good at detecting the error of our own way. In fact, we’re prone to thinking we’re in fine shape, even when we’re carrying a deadly disease.
Only the Lord really knows the true condition of our heart. He sees what is hidden from our sight. He knows what is in need of repair. Pray. Ask Him to help you maintain the inside of your “house.” Catch things early.