Daily Devo

A Heart Check

By: Wendy Sanders

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:16-21

This man thought being good was the key to entering heaven. So, he asked Jesus how good he needed to be. Like many people, I'm sure he thought he was doing OK. He hadn't committed murder, adultery, or stolen anything, but in his heart, he knew there was something more. So, he asked Jesus again, is there anything I'm lacking? Being God, Jesus knew exactly what his problem was, and His answer cut straight to the man's heart. Jesus probably gave him an answer he wasn't expecting when He told him to sell his possessions and become a disciple.

Instead of surrendering what was holding him back, the young man went away sad. Jesus didn't tell everyone to sell their possessions, but He knew that man valued his "stuff" more than he valued God. That young man went away sad because he wasn’t willing to change. We all have areas of our lives we feel good about, but when God cuts to the heart of an issue (one we may be unaware of) we must make a choice: we can stay the same; or we can let God change us.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1-2

Colossians 3:1-17 is a great way to "check our hearts" and evaluate ourselves, and self-evaluation is something Christ followers must do regularly. But don't read these verses quickly. Read each verse slowly, then pause and reflect on each one. Then, ask God if there is anything you need to personally work on.

Like that young man, if anything in our heart is out of balance, God will point it out!

Read: Colossians 3:1-17