(Our study with Psalm 12 is available here)

This study looks at the double heart in man and points to how we must operate that way for so long until judgement comes and consumes those flattering lips little by little (Deu_7:22). Those lips operated from a heart that is double minded and unstable in all its ways to create the contrast for us that only the life of Christ can empower us to put off the former conversation and become a new creation through Him (Jas_1:8 , Eph_4:22).

Deu 7:22  And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Eph 4:22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

No one can know the depth of our deception or the guile that resides within us, until it is shown us which is how God shows his goodness to his people in this age by leading us unto repentance which requires judgement (2Sa_12:7 , Rom_2:4 , 1Pe_4:17-19). Only when the Lord begins to judge us can the light of Christ come into our heavens revealing the man of perdition whose days are numbered (Mat_6:22-23 , 2Th_2:8 , Job_14:5 , Psa_139:16).

2Sa 12:7  And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Mat 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Mat 6:23  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Job 14:4  Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Job 14:5  Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

This psalm reminds us that it is the Lord who brings us into a place of feeling oppressed so that in His perfect timing we can be delivered and be reassured of His faithfulness to work these wonderful works unto the children of men (Psa_107:30-31).

Psa 107:30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Psa 107:31  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

When God’s judgements are in the earth men will learn righteousness (Isa_26:9) because His word will be purified seven times through those judgements happening within these earthen vessels (Psa_12:6 , 2Co_4:7). It is the trial of our faith which is precious unto God (1Pe_1:7) and absolutely critical to have happen in our life in this age if we are going to have our heavens purified of all the dross and impurities of thought that we naturally harbour around the idols of our double minded hearts (Eze_14:3).

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Psa 12:6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

It is the most counter-intuitive thing to try to understand in our flesh that God’s love is demonstrated toward His people by chastening and scourging, but as we mature and fill up what is behind of His afflictions more and more, we rejoice more (Col_1:24) as we start to see the needful and necessary pattern of much tribulation (Act_14:22) so that we can live the rest of our days out to the will of God and not in the flesh to the lust of men (Heb_12:6 , 1Pe_4:2).

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

1Pe 4:2  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

(Our study with Psalm 12 is available here)