The Bible reveals several passages where Jesus tests or examines the hearts of individuals, often to expose their true motives, intentions, and whether they are living in alignment with God’s will. These tests reveal both the sinfulness of the human heart and God’s desire for genuine repentance and transformation.
Here are some key verses about Jesus testing or examining our hearts for sin:
1. Matthew 15:18-19 – Jesus Exposes the Heart’s True Nature
“But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Jesus teaches that sin begins in the heart. He reveals that our words and actions reflect what is inside us, exposing the sin that resides in the human heart. These verses are a reminder that external actions—like the words we speak—are often the result of deeper, internal issues.
- What it shows: Jesus “tests” our hearts by pointing out that the root of our sinful behavior lies in our inner thoughts and desires. He encourages us to examine our hearts to see where sin is lurking.
2. Revelation 2:23 – Jesus Knows the Heart’s Motives
“Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.”
In this verse, Jesus speaks to the church in Thyatira, declaring that He searches hearts and knows every motive. He tests our hearts and examines our actions to see if they are truly in line with His will.
- What it shows: Jesus has the authority and the ability to look past external actions and see the true condition of our hearts. He tests us to ensure that our motives are pure and that we are living according to His righteousness.
3. Luke 6:45 – The Heart is the Source of Our Actions
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Here, Jesus speaks of the direct connection between the heart and our actions. He makes it clear that what we say and do reflects the condition of our hearts. This verse acts as a test of our inner life.
- What it shows: Jesus teaches that our words and actions are a result of our heart’s state. Sinful actions (such as lying, stealing, or hatred) are often symptoms of a heart that has not been transformed by God’s love and grace.
4. John 2:24-25 – Jesus Knows Our Hearts Fully
“But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.”
In this passage, Jesus tests the hearts of those who approach Him. He knew that many people were following Him because of the miracles He performed, not out of genuine faith. Jesus didn’t entrust Himself to them because He knew their true motives.
- What it shows: Jesus examines the hearts of people to see if their faith is genuine or if it’s based on superficial reasons. He knows the true condition of the human heart, and this is a reminder that nothing can be hidden from Him.
5. Matthew 22:18-20 – Testing the Pharisees’ Motives
“But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, ‘You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.’ They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, ‘Whose image is this? And whose inscription?’”
In this passage, the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes. Jesus tests their motives, revealing their hypocrisy and lack of sincerity. He knows that their intentions were not to seek wisdom, but to entrap Him.
- What it shows: Jesus is able to discern the true intentions behind our actions. The Pharisees’ outward religious actions were not in line with the true spirit of the law. Jesus tests the hearts of those who outwardly appear righteous, but inwardly are full of hypocrisy.
6. Matthew 7:21-23 – Not Everyone Who Claims to Follow Jesus Is Truly His
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
In these verses, Jesus warns that empty professions of faith are not enough to enter the kingdom of heaven. Outward actions like prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles may be done in His name, but if the heart is not aligned with God’s will, they are of no value.
- What it shows: Jesus tests not just our actions but the authenticity of our relationship with Him. It’s not enough to say the right things or perform outward acts of faith; what matters is whether our heart is fully surrendered to God’s will.
7. Mark 7:20-23 – The Heart’s Sinful Desires
“He went on: ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.’”
In this passage, Jesus lists the sinful behaviors that flow from the heart, such as greed, envy, and deceit. Jesus is making it clear that sin starts from within, in the heart, and He tests us by examining the evil desires that lurk there.
- What it shows: Jesus tests the heart by exposing the sinful nature within. He teaches that outward purity is not enough; the inner condition of the heart must also be purified. Sinful behavior arises from evil thoughts and desires within the heart, and Jesus wants to cleanse us from these.
8. Jeremiah 17:10 – The Lord Tests the Heart
“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
While this verse is from the Old Testament, it resonates with the teachings of Jesus about God’s ability to test and examine our hearts. God is the ultimate judge of our inner condition, and Jesus, as God incarnate, also knows and examines the inner thoughts and intentions of people.
- What it shows: The Lord tests the heart and rewards people based on the truth of their heart. This includes motives, actions, and the sincerity of one’s faith. Jesus continues the work of testing hearts that was established in the Old Testament.
Conclusion: Jesus Tests Our Hearts for Sin
Throughout Scripture, Jesus is portrayed as one who examines the hearts of individuals, not just their outward actions. He wants us to examine the true motives behind our behavior, recognizing that sin begins in the heart and affects our thoughts, desires, and actions.
When Jesus tests our hearts, He is revealing the depth of our sin and calling us to genuine repentance. Through His grace, He offers the transformation of our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to overcome sin and live in alignment with God’s will.