Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 15:11, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
American Standard Version
Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!
World English Bible version
Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Proverbs 15:11 Meaning & Commentary
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord; how much more the hearts of the children of man! – Proverbs 15:11 (ESV)
Shel and Abaddon refer to both hell and the resting place of the dead. This verse in Proverbs equates the hearts of people to these locations. The Bible says that as Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord – in the same manner, people’s hearts lie open before the Lord. We can hide our hearts, intents, and motives from others, but we cannot hide them from the Lord. We may have experience with other people who we thought were a certain way – only to be shocked and find out who they were down the line. The truth is that what “came out” and revealed itself was likely always there – at the very least, the seed of it. Usually, corrupt hearts take time to “develop or grow.”
A lesson can be learned by looking at a story in The New Testament: Acts 5:3 – But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? Ananias and his wife had lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back part of the proceeds from the sale of a property. When we look at how Peter words the question to him, we see that although Satan had filled his heart with lies, He was ultimately responsible for what happened.
This is what the word of God teaches us – what enters our hearts and what we allow to take root is our responsibility. This applies to all aspects of life – sometimes we may feel “hard done by” with certain situations, or perhaps we feel we have a “right” to be angry and upset. The truth is that we are responsible for what we allow into our hearts, and no other “excuse” will be allowed. Our hearts lie open before the Lord, and there is no hiding!
Application
How can we practically apply Proverbs 15:11 to our lives?
Life is filled with challenges, and if we allow ourselves to “succumb” and become a victim of those challenges, we will struggle to make it in life. Just as we would guard a high-priced item or something of great value, we should guard our hearts even more: Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. The word “keep” is the Hebrew word “natsar,” which can also be translated as watch or guard. We need to “guard” our hearts very diligently as, if the heart becomes corrupt or bitter, it can poison our whole life – and the life of others around us:
Hebrews 12:15 – See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. What is the best way to guard our hearts? The best way is to catch each thought that comes into our mind, which is not Godly, and deal with it before it takes root in our hearts. A thought in the mind is not the same as a belief in the heart. It starts with a thought, and then when we entertain it and begin to agree with it, it takes root in our hearts and begins to impact our lives.
This is why The Bible tells us to take every bad or negative thought captive: 2 Corinthians 10:5 – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. We need to understand that nothing is hidden from God – even the most minor thoughts and intents of our hearts; however, it is solely our responsibility to guard our hearts and make sure that what we allow in there is pleasing to God: Psalm 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Prayer
Mighty God, I acknowledge that you know and see every intent and motive of my heart. Help me guard my heart and only entertain or allow what is pleasing to You. Please forgive me for where I have entertained thoughts that have displeased You. As Psalm 19 says, may the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. I ask this now in Jesus’ name. Amen!
