Deceit or Joy

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
DECEIT OR JOY
Prov 12:20
20 There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but joy for those who promote peace.
NIV
I think the first of this saying could be seen in two ways, the first being that those people who devise evil do so because they have a deceitful heart. But the Word of God declares through his prophet Jeremiah that the heart of man is deceitful and that there is no cure, who can understand it. So I am not so sure that those who plot evil are a result of a deceitful heart. But I do think that those who plot evil are being deceived in their heart. This is the second way to approach this first part. Men who live by the principles of this world, seeking all things for the benefit of self are being deceived by the evil one himself. Man was not created by God to be a self-centered, self-serving introspective being. Man was created to have fellowship with God. But Satan would have men think there is no God, and so plot away for personal gain and self-satisfaction, you only go around once so grab all the gusto you can. The Devil would deceive men into thinking there is no Heaven and no Hell and so all you have is this life and your own self to please. I know this is such an empty life for I have lived it those years before knowing God. It is a life of deception, of being deceived and not knowing the truth which set me free and brought me true peace. So now I promote peace, I promote Shalom, peace with God. Jesus was called Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace and thus his is the fullness of peace. As I live in Christ I have perfect peace, and I have a complete joy within my being. As I promote this Prince of Peace I also have a heart full of joy because I know I am living to benefit the Kingdom of God. Sure I still make mistakes, sure my humanity still rears its ugly head and I think about my own state of being, but those times are only moments and not the direction of my life. I have decided to follow Jesus and there is no turning back. I promote Jesus and I have the joy of the Lord.