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

There is a huge difference between having knowledge about something and intimately knowing something. To intimately know Jesus Christ requires opening your heart to him in a way that exposes everything: your hurtful ways, your anxious thoughts, all of it. It seems scary to see the truth about yourself, but for the believer “there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). God already knows what is in your heart, and it is his kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).

The sobering thing about this verse is that it assumes there’s something offensive or wicked in your heart. Before you say, “I’m not wicked!” let me assure you that we all are (Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10, Isaiah 64:6). The Hebrews word translated as “offensive” in today’s verse actually refers to the worship of idols. That is our natural bent. Where are you full of yourself? What are your vices to cope instead seeking God? What false core beliefs do you have in your heart that God wants to expose to you? We all have them. Let the Lord lead you to open your heart to him.

Lord, you desire truth in my innermost being. Not to shame me but to transform me. Give me the courage I need to look at the parts of my heart that are ugly and help my heart be transformed from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh that looks more and more like you. Lead me in your everlasting ways.