After looking at Rebekah’s life, how do we guard our hearts from manipulation and deceit!?
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
Rebekah did not guard her heart with all diligence, and, as a result, she allowed issues to arise in her life.
How guarded are you with your heart!? Do you see your heart as something precious that needs to be guarded or do you see it as a secret place where you give yourself the liberty of entertaining whatever you desires!?
I will sing of mercy and justice;
To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.
Oh, when will You come to me?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
4 A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not know wickedness. Psalm 101: 1-4
To refrain from manipulation and deceit, we begin by reminding ourselves of God’s mercy and justice. The Lord is merciful, and He knows what is true, right, and just. We don’t have to take matters in our own hands to make something happen. He sees all things, and He knows all things!
Furthermore, the above passage tells us something profound in helping us to refrain from manipulation and deceit. The scripture tells us that we behave wisely because we walk with a perfect heart in our homes. If we try to muster up a good behavior without having the right heart, sooner or later we will be tempted to go back to our old nature and begin to rely on our own devices.
Having a perfect heart in our homes, means that when no one is looking, we don’t entertain sin, perversion, manipulation, or evil thoughts. If we give ourselves permission to have a secret place for sin and desires, it will begin to show up in our words and in our actions.
Sadly, Rebekah’s actions impacted herself, her husband, and her sons. She had allowed herself to have a kingdom in her mind where she ruled. While, on the surface, it looked like she was a helpmate to her husband. In truth, she was pulling the strings, and her husband trusted her.
When she sent Jacob away, I don’t think Rebekah realized that he was going to be away for decades. Even though she thought she was controlling and orchestrating the events of her life, she was not able to protect Jacob from her scheming brother Laban. . Laban deceived Jacob by making him work for 14 years before he could have the woman he wanted to marry.
The truth is that those who manipulate things, are not always able to control the outcomes. They eventually see the consequence of those actions in their lives and the lives of those they love.
What is the Lord speaking to you about the life of Rebekah? Is there idolatry in your relationships? Do you try to meet others’ needs above what the Lord has directed and instructed? Do you continue to make excuses for their needs? Do you allow God to be God not only in your life but also in the life of your spouse and children!?
We all have areas that we would really like to see a change in our lives, but we should not try to make it happen. In addition, if we were able to make something happen, it doesn’t mean that we will like the outcome. It is best to allow God to perfect our hearts and to remain submitted and trusting in God!