“Know my heart” is the same as “I give you my heart.” It’s an acknowledgement that Christ knows our innermost thoughts.

22 The LORD [Adonai] detests lying lips [those who deceive themselves], but He delights in people who are trustworthy [those who trust in Him].

Let’s be honest with ourselves and with our Lord. We know what is in our hearts. Why would a holy God want to delve the depths of MY heart? It’s pretty ugly in there–okay, it’s a LOT ugly in there. He even tells me how ugly it is: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Yet, King David tells the LORD,

²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

David gives God permission to lay open his heart. It’s a whole lot like open-heart surgery. We know from Hebrews 4:12-13 that, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword [a scalpel], it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” What is it that David wants God to do with his heart?

“See if there is any offensive way in me.” When I consider what “offensive” is in my heart, I see:

1. Self-centeredness- I see things from my perspective, and my perspective is the most important one to me. I come first in all things and everyone else takes a backseat to me. I like being right, but I like even more having things my way–even if it isn’t the best way.
2. Selfishness- Sometimes I want just to want. I don’t need something, but because I want it, I must have it. This attitude is evident in Amnon and what he did to Tamar, his sister (read about it in 2 Samuel 13). It’s also in every heart. Jesus tells us as much in Matthew 5:28.
3. Pride- Sometimes I like the way I am because it makes me feel powerful. I am my own person–never mind that I am a BAD person, a DEAD person. On my own, I am a wayward sheep (Isaiah 53:6). THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR SAVING ME FROM MYSELF!

The Spirit within me has given me a new nature. I have a higher desire that goes above my base desires. I want what Jesus wants. The problem is that it’s a process, and this process takes time. It is built one teaching upon another, the base being the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23 and Ephesians 5:9). Some of it we grasp very quickly while some of it must be rooted out of our selfish nature. That’s the “offensive” part.

Today, let’s allow Him to show us what can be offensive in our lives. Realizing that He cannot be offended by His children does not change the fact that we can be offensive to others. We can demonstrate His love in us by loving His Body, His Bride, His Church, His–and our–Family. It gives Him great joy when we let go of an offensive part of our hearts and allow Him to transform us into more of His image.

Abba, search my heart today. Show me what’s there and then urge me to give it to You. YOU are the only One who can transform my life into a radiant and beautiful one that glorifies You. Make me into a faithful servant, O LORD. I am Yours; do with me as You will. In the words of Mary, “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Amen.