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Jeremiah 17:1-3 – Written On Our Hearts
“For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction” so says Newton’s third law. This law of physics might not perfectly fit into the spiritual realm, but one aspect is certainly true – for every sin there is a reaction. In fact, there are more than we care to know about. Here are three:
#1 – Our Sin Affects Our Character
Jeremiah 17:1 – The sin of Judah is written down with an iron stylus; With a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart And on the horns of their altars,
Let’s begin by asking two closely related, yet diametrically opposed questions:
- Does the man make the behavior, or
- Does the behavior make the man?
The answer to both questions is frighteningly…YES! Exercising our free will, we often casually make decisions about our behavior, benignly unaware of the effects. Often unthinkingly, we choose unwisely, thinking only of immediate, external, conscious, desired result. What we don’t focus on is what that decision does to us inwardly, unconsciously, and spiritually. We make decisions about our behavior, but our behavior shapes and molds us – sometimes to an almost unrecognized form. How often have we thought about another, “I don’t even know who they are any more?” What happened? They became warped by their own sin.
According to Jeremiah, Judah’s sins are not failings of weakness or momentary lapses. No, their sins are deep seated becoming part of their altered character (Ephesians 2:1-3). Their hearts, their emotions, their minds, have been altered. The mind shapes the decisions, which in return warps the mind. That is the reason for the description of the writing tool having a diamond point – The Jews had hearts of stone. They had been personally and permanently hardened. Although the word “stubborn” is not used here, Jeremiah often uses that descriptive word (3:17; 5:23; 7:24; 9:14; 11:8; 13:10; 16:12; 18:12; 23:17). Their hearts were hardened, stubborn, and sick:
“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?
[10] “I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give to each man according to his ways,
According to the results of his deeds. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
#2 – Our Sin Affects Our Children
Jeremiah 17:2 – As they remember their children, So they remember their altars and their Asherim By green trees on the high hills.
Let’s examine three different scenarios:
UNKNOWN EFFECT – We parents have a greater impact upon our children than we knowingly and want to have…that is negatively want to have. Let us all heed this warning – “Children will not always listen to us, but they will always imitate us.” While this proverb has exceptions, both for good and ill, isn’t it scary when we parents see our children acting just like us? Do you know what is even scarier? Sometimes we don’t notice. There are two possible reasons we are blind to how they are misbehaving like us:
- We are not paying enough attention to our children.
- We are not paying enough attention to ourselves.
UNCARING EFFECT – Parents often sin indirectly against the children by the selfish decisions they make due to their hardened heart. In reference to the break-up of families, often people and professionals say, “Children are resilient.” It seems they say this to relieve themselves of guilt and responsibility, giving themselves permission to follow their stubborn heart. Yes children can be resilient, because they have to be! But surviving is not the goal – allowing our children to thrive is. Our sins can affect our children’s lives, present and future. Our hearts can alter their hearts.
INTENTIONAL EFFECT – While both the above situations are indeed shameful and sad, there is a situation being described here in Jeremiah even more despicable: Parents purposely corrupting their children. Some parents intentionally lead their children astray – and that is what they want to do. It’s hard to imagine anyone like this, but they exist. Why would parents do such a hideous thing? They are totally corrupted in their hearts. This shows how hardened a heart can become. The Jews at the time of Jeremiah had lowered themselves to practicing human, child sacrifices.
#3 – Our Sin Affects Our Gifts from God
Jeremiah 17:3 – O mountain of Mine in the countryside, I will give over your wealth and all your treasures for booty, Your high places for sin throughout your borders. 4 And you will, even of yourself, let go of your inheritance That I gave you; And I will make you serve your enemies In the land which you do not know; For you have kindled a fire in My anger Which will burn forever. Here in Jeremiah, God personifies the land, acquitting the land of guilt for it is a victim used and abused. Even today, people: 1) Misuse God’s gifts for their own personal purposes; or 2) Don’t use God’s gifts at all. Years ago people would use the terms “sins of commission” and “sins of omission” to describe such behavior and non-behavior. Hardened hearts can take the best of what God has to offer and abuse and misuse it (Romans 6:1). God wants to bless us. We can turn His blessings into our curses.
Do you remember the two questions we asked in the beginning?
- Does the man make the behavior, or
- Does the behavior make the man?
As frightening as we see the answer is, the answer can likewise be hopeful. It is hopeful in that we can use our free will to make the right decision to allow God to soften our hearts and thereby become like God.
Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
That is God’s action on our heart. What is our reaction?
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