Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, "I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin"?

This proverb is put in the form of a question: "who can say?" Of course the answer is “no one”. This proverb proclaims the universal sinfulness of the human heart. This sad reality is confirmed in other Scriptures such as Romans 3:10 which says, “There is none righteous, not even one.”

You’ll notice the proverb is in the first person singular because each of us individually has to realize and acknowledge our sinfulness. Many struggle with the concept of total depravity in our politically correct and theologically inept society. But total depravity alone explains why behave as we do. There is no other explanation. Those who are bewildered by humanity’s deceitfulness, selfishness and violence have never faced up to this horrifying truth.

The bad news is “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The good news is, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-26)

Do you want to have a cleansed heart? Keep looking to Jesus!