One of the verses I often share when speaking to teen girls is Psalm 26:2-3 which says, “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.” Too often, we worry more about behavior modification tactics rather than diving deep down into the core root of the sin problem. If we can develop the practice of asking God to examine our hearts and minds on a regular basis, we are far less likely to fall for the enemy’s lies when he comes dangling his carrots of temptation before us. And you can bet that he will. It’s not a matter of “if,” but “when.” Many Christians will be lured off God’s path and hopping down the bunny trail of sin in no time, blinded by the enemy’s deception.

Case in point: When speaking to girls, I can address the problem of immodesty by quoting 1 Timothy 2:9a, “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety…” and leave it at that, assuming the problem is solved and most girls will leave the event with a renewed zeal to clean out their closets when they get home. Or I can go a step further by letting them know what God has to say on the topic of modesty (1 Tim. 2:9) and then encourage them to invite God to examine their hearts (Psalm 26:2-3) in an effort to get to the root of why they may choose to dress immodestly at times. Are they insecure and desperate for male attention? So desperate in fact, that they are willing to settle for the wrong kind of attention? Or might they just be followers, looking to fit in by wearing the latest trends? Either way, dressing immodestly is only a symptom of a deeper root problem and if not addressed at the core, it will likely continue, even if temporary measures are taken to clean up their wardrobe.

The actual Hebrew word for “examine” in Psalm 26:2 is shaphat (shaw-fat´) which means to “judge” as in “pass sentence for or against.” The NLT translation of Psalm 26:2-3 says it this way: “Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and affections. For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth.” The idea of inviting God to “put our hearts on trial” can be a bit unsettling to say the least. It’s important that we know God’s purpose when it comes to examining our hearts. The Hebrew word for “try” (as in “try my heart”) is tsaraph (tsaw-raf´) which means to “refine,” “melt,” “purge away,” as a goldsmith would do when purifying gold.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “God enters by a private door into every individual.” You can’t put a deadbolt on the door of your heart. Truth be told, many Christians spend more energy attempting to barricade the secret places of their hearts and tuning out the Judge’s verdict regarding their motives and affections. Only those who want to be “refined” will allow God to “purge away” the impurities that lie deep within their hearts. When we understand that God judges our motives and affections as an act of His unfailing love for us and we keep that love “ever before us” (Psalm 26:3), only then can we walk “continually in His truth.”

So, how about it? Are you ready to put your heart on trial? The refining process is not easy, but the outcome is well worth it. It’s time to remove the rusty deadbolts and swing the doors of our hearts wide open to the only One who can make us whole.

by Vicki Courtney, Author of 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter