Day 274 – Understanding

Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

• God’s names:
• YAHWEH/JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal
• Yeshuwa/Iesous – Jesus
• Pater/Abba – Father
• Theos – Supreme Divinity

• God’s character:
• Wisdom
• Knowledge
• Understanding

The heart. Songs, movies, books, all talk about the heart. Broken hearts, longing hearts, and happy hearts. The heart also has its own holiday. However, the heart can be the most deceitful organ in the body. Not because it’s bad — everybody needs a heart to live, but because it can deceive a person into believing something that isn’t true.

Solomon said those who trusted their hearts were fools. He said the only person they should trust is YAHWEH.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in YAHWEH with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

The heart then is linked to understanding, not emotion when it comes to doing what you know is right.

The psalmist gave man the most useful need for the heart.

Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!

Sin is also connected to the heart. But when you put YAHWEH’S Word in your heart, you have a better chance of doing what’s right because you are not trusting your heart but YAHWEH. Solomon knew that which is why he said fools trust their hearts.

What else does Scripture say about the heart?

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?

The heart is desperately wicked. As Christians, you need to guard against Satan’s lies. He uses the heart to deceive you into believing his lies, instead of YAHWEH’S truth.

Yeshuwa told the people about the heart.

Matthew 15:10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Pater has not planted will be uprooted. 14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” 15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” 16 So Iesous said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adultery, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Solomon and Yeshuwa linked the heart to the mind — to understanding. That is why you need to study Yeshuwa’s Word, hide it in your heart, so that when Satan comes against you, your heart won’t deceive you.

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to Theos, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

When you read and study Yeshuwa’s Word, you are putting it in your heart. When you do, you crowd out those things that defile a person until there is no room left for evil thoughts.

It’s the hardest thing a person can do as a Christian because Satan will put every distraction in your way to keep you from reading, studying, and memorizing YAHWEH’S Word. The heart by itself is desperately wicked as Jeremiah and Yeshuwa said. But when you start reading, studying, and memorizing Yeshuwa’s Word, you soon learn you have the greatest weapon against Satan – the Sword of the Pneuma — Yeshuwa’s Word.

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in Theos for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of Theos, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christos, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in Kurios and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of Theos, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the whole armor of Theos, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Pneuma, which is the word of Theos; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Pneuma, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

One piece of the armor alone will not defeat the thoughts and desires Satan tempts you with, but every piece gives you the strength to stand against the thoughts and imaginations of the heart.

The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Who can know it.

Trust in YAHWEH with your WHOLE heart and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways ACKNOWLEGE Him and He will direct your path.

Let’s pray: Father, help me to memorize Your Word and put it in my heart so it will guard my life from evil thoughts and imaginations. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 20 October 2026 by Valerie Routhieaux

May the God of all blessing guard your hearts and minds and multiply His blessings in your life when you trust in Him.

Faithful Journey Publishing