The Covert Heart

Hide-and-seek is a popular game I was quite fond of during my childhood years. The game was full of mystery and excitement. H The rules of the game require the seeker to close their eyes, count to 100, while their back was turned to the hiders who scurried to find a hiding place. At the end of the count the seeker would announce, ‘ready or not, here I come!’

The first one found would be the next seeker and the game was repeated. The last would be the winner of the round.

We could concede that the strategy of the CIA, FBI, Secret Service, MI6 are like the game of hide-and-seek. Highly classified, undercover, behind-the-scenes, and unexposed are descriptive of ‘covert operations.’ Special tactics

are used to preserve the secret schemes and operations as they are planned and executed by these sects. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, Covert means, ‘undertaken or done so as to escape being observed or known by others.’ Some synonyms used to describe the word Covert are hidden, secret, isolated, secluded, and sheltered.

Would you agree that the heart plays hide-and-seek and operates equally to that of a covert operation? There are several popular stories in the Bible that portray covert operations, such as; Adam and Eve’s, hiding from God; Cain killing his brother Able; Judas betraying Jesus; and one not so popular story of deceit and covetousness by Gehazi (Servant of Naaman). The flesh nature of man is born into sin and the evil tendencies of our heart are therefore covertly maintained, while waiting for God’s unveiling.

“Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion: And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude].” Ephesians 4:22-23 (AMP)

When we encounter God, ask Him into our hearts, accept Him as our

personal Savior and give our will over to journey with Him, we are instantly born again, forgiven of our past sins, and we become the children of a loving Eternal Father! Now that we have acknowledged and accepted Him, He can work in us.

First, we need to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all things will be added to us. He knows we have need of earthly things, which He provides, but He implores us to aim for, and seek His Kingdom, to learn of His mysteries and His desires for us. He also implores us to follow his commandments, to love Him and love our neighbour as we do ourselves. When our natural man is self-centered, proud, haughty, and vainglorious, how can we execute this love? Inadvertently, these are the spirits STILL holding us captive. We cannot assume our old ways and habits have miraculously disappeared because we have been born anew. But how do we strip ourselves? In our own strength and ability, we cannot, but, hallelujah Holy Spirit!

“Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” Ps. 44:21 (AMP)

I asked God to ‘Search my heart ‘thoroughly’, try me and know my thoughts, and reveal all wickedness and hurtful ways in me and lead me in His way everlasting.’ (Psalm 139:23-24, AMP). Over several months, it was this very prayer that launched the unveiling of my heart as I was stirred by the Holy Spirit’s revealing of the covert depot of my heart. I often questioned Him “Lord, am I really like this? Am I vehement, belligerent, superfluous, a bigot, a heretic?

At first revelation I wanted to believe He was speaking to me about someone else’s heart, not mine! It was difficult to accept this was my heart. But, as the Holy Spirit uncovered the pomposity of my heart, I was overwhelmed with anguish. My covert heart was unveiled. I was deeply wounded and broken. Unknown to me, my storehouse had become a cozy dwelling place for the enemy, causing an albatross in my walk with God. I was repentant, sorrowful, penitent, and humbled. This was a ‘valley of death’ experience for me…, of ‘death to the flesh.’ “But He gives us more and more grace, (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace (continually) to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].” James 4:6-8 (AMP)

I felt destitute and void, but the Holy Spirit brought me comfort and led me to restoration. There is no doubt that the evil tendencies in our hearts war to remain, hidden, isolated and hinder our relationship with God. But God! Because of His incomprehensible love for us, He unveils the hidden depots of our hearts and instigates an eviction. Then, and only then, He fills our lingering void with His righteousness. And, as we are tempted with a desire to return to our former ways, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to practice resistance, thereby given the opportunity to overcome and be victorious over the evil plots and schemes of the enemy.

“Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 (AMP)

You may have by now asked God to unveil the covert depot of your heart, but if not, I challenge you today to ask Him to search your heart, and reveal your evil ways so He can restore your heart. Draw closer to the Shepherd so He can feed, guide, shield, refresh and restore your life and lead you in the paths of righteousness (uprightness and right standing with Him). For though you walk through the deep valley of the shadow of death, you will not fear or dread evil, for He is with you, His rod (His Word, to protect) and His staff (His Holy Spirit, to guide) and to bring comfort.

He will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies (evil tendencies). He will anoint your head with oil and your cup will run over (with joy and exaltation) because He has been manifested in your heart, bringing you joy and peace and into an intimate relationship with Him. Be bold, be courageous and ask Him today to reveal your covert heart.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. Revelation 3:19 (AMP) p

By Karen Daley, mother, cake artist, event planner and amateur to inspirational penning as led by the Holy Spirit.