Deuteronomy 17:17 NIV 

“He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.” 

Moses’ words are conveyed to the Israelites concerning their King and his qualifications. Reading along, my attention is captivated by this verse. A cause-and-effect verse, if you will. Right there after the instruction that the King over the Israelites is not to acquire a great number of horses for himself or have the people return to Egypt to get them! The King shouldn’t have many wives! From horses to heartbreak. Smack, right there in the effect portion of the verse...”He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray....” 

Several things catch my attention. First, the words of Moses from the Lord state clearly that the King’s heart can be lead astray by multiple wives. I realize times have changed, but I for one can not imagine why any man in his right mind would want more than one wife! But this is the word of our LORD! Why would such a statement be included? Let me share my thoughts and understanding. 

Over the past few months God has been opening my eyes to a scriptural truth. In order to get it we must return to Genesis 1:1 NIV: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. “ God is translated from the Hebrew 'elohiym. God reveals various names for Himself in the OT to reveal different qualities or aspects of His total being. Elohiym is our universal creator. From nothing He created everything, including in verse 26 where man was created.  

Continuing in Genesis, at 6:5 we reflect on the opening passage used in the “Heart Study Series:” “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually”

Piecing this together, our Universal Creator knew and knows His creation! I take comfort in knowing that my creator knows me. He knows my strengths, weaknesses, when I'm standing solid and when I'm vulnerable. So it is with the words God gave to Moses concerning the King over Israel. Multiple wives would lead him astray.  

PureHeart Ministries ministers to hearts lead astray. Many have been lead astray by man's own hurts, wounds and the lies they have chosen to listen to over the Truth found in God's word. We can not honestly and humbly minister to hearts astray without first understanding our own hearts and just how vulnerable they can be. 

I would be wrong if I did not share just how subtle this “leading astray” can be. I honestly believe our Enemy has mastered the art of deception in this age. 

Following are the PHM pillars that uphold us as we, with God's divine guidance, attempt to minister God's love, grace and mercy to the “lead astray heart.” 

Prayer, Accountability, Mentoring, Shepherding all in a Community that is safe and non-judgmental.

We do what we do by being sensitive to the Spirit and the person. 

We ask tough questions and listen with open, sensitive ears. 

In all we do, we constantly point them back to the One from which they strayed, Jesus. 

Sharing from the Heart;Steve