A sermon illustration comes to mind from the foggy past as I’m reading. Something about a little girl who’s decided to go toe-to-toe with her mom. Mom finally has enough and tells the five-year-old, “Go sit in the corner, right now! And don’t get up until I tell you!” The little girl stomps to her all too familiar corner of discipline and huffs and puffs as she takes her seat. After a few minutes she mutters under her breath, “Mom, I am sitting down on the outside, but I am standing up on the inside.” That’s kind of the posture I find described by Jeremiah this morning.

Jeremiah goes a little “Job” on God. He asks for a day in court to question the Judge. Though somewhat less demanding than Job (Job 13:3), he has the same question (Job 21:7-15) — why do the wicked seem to thrive? And it’s how he describes the wicked that’s giving me something to chew on this morning.

You will be righteous, LORD,
even if I bring a case against You.
Yet, I wish to contend with You:
Why does the way of the wicked prosper?
Why do all the treacherous live at ease?
You planted them, and they have taken root.
They have grown and produced fruit.
You are ever on their lips,
but far from their conscience.

(Jeremiah 12:1-2 CSB)

Ever on their lips, but far from their conscience. Hmm . . .

This is one of those verses where looking at multiple translations seems pretty helpful. While they might give lip service to God, God is more than just far from their conscience. He really isn’t on their minds (NASB, NKJV). In fact, He is “far from their hearts” (ESV, NIV). And the one that most intrigues me (from Young’s Literal Translation): the wicked are known because though they talk the talk when it comes to God — though “Near art Thou in their mouth” — He is “far off from their reins” (Jer. 12:2 YLT).

Isn’t that the test of what’s on our mind, what’s in our heart, and what’s stirring up our conscience? Who’s got the reins? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Who’s in control when I get up in the morning? Who’s calling the shots throughout the day? Who’s the arbiter? Who’s the filter? Isn’t that difference between God talk and God walk? At least in part it is.

I don’t necessarily self-identify this morning as “the wicked” in this passage. But I do self-identify as those who are “prone to wander” (Lord, I feel it). And how often is that wandering associated with who’s really holding the reins? Easy to talk about following, harder to actually be led. Easy to want to serve, harder to submit. Easy to quote Scripture, takes something, actually Someone more than just me to obey Scripture.

Oh, how I need the Lord on my lips, for sure. But how I also need Him on my mind, AND in my heart, AND stirring my conscience, AND holding the reins.

More than I can muster on my own, though. How I need Jesus living in me and through me to enable me (Gal. 2:20).

By His grace. For His glory.