Our hearts so often condemn us (we probably don’t know our hearts as we think we do). But God is greater than our hearts. Calvin wrote, “the human heart has so many crannies where vanity hides, so many holes where falsehood lurks, is so decked with deceiving hypocrisy, that it often dupes itself.” It never dupes God (see Hebrews 4:13). Look to God and his grace for healing comfort.
The Secret
Calvin points out in his commentary on Psalm 18 (vv. 21 – 24) that “whoever, therefore, would desire to persevere in uprightness and integrity of life, let them learn to exercise themselves daily in the study of the Word of God; for, whenever a man despises or neglects instruction, he easily falls into carelessness and stupidity, and all fear of God vanishes from his mind.”
The Knowledge of Providence
Calvin points out in his Institutes that “if you pay attention you will easily perceive that ignorance of providence is the ultimate of all miseries; the highest blessedness lies in the knowledge of it.” (Institutes, I. 17. 11)
Proving Ourselves
If we really wish to be reckoned among the number of the children of God, the Holy Spirit teaches us, that we must show ourselves to be such by a holy and an upright life; for it is not enough to serve God by outward ceremonies, unless we also live uprightly, and without doing wrong to our neighbors. (Calvin, Commentary on the Psalms, Psalm 15)
Clarity
“For just as our eyes, when dimmed with age or weakness or by some other defect, unless aided by spectacles, discern nothing distinctly; so, such is our feebleness, unless Scripture guides us in seeking God, we are immediately confused.” (Calvin, Institutes I. 14. 1)
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