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I. CONSIDER WHAT IS IMPLIED IN REGARDING INIQUITY IN THE HEART. The words do not point to open, profane and scandalous sinners. But there are many who maintain a fair character before men, who, before God, shall be found wanting indeed. They are deceiving themselves, and say they have peace when they have none really. But —

1. These regard iniquity in their hearts who secretly practise it, fearing the world, but not God. They forget Jeremiah 23:24.

2. Who indulge the desire of sin though they may be restrained from the actual commission of it. Many do this in regard to impurity, sensuality and malice. But see the words of our Lord (Matthew 5:27, 28, 21, 22). And —

3. They who reflect upon past sins with delight, or without sincere humiliation of mind. Perhaps our real disposition, both towards sin and duty, may be as certainly discovered by the state of our minds after, as in the trine of action. For sudden temptation may sweep a man away; but the question which determines what the man is, is what are his thoughts and feelings in regard to his sin afterwards (Job 13:26; Psalm 25:7).

4. Those who look upon the sins of others with approbation or without grief. Not as in Psalm 119:136, 158; Jeremiah 13:17; 2 Peter 2:7, 8. Some there are who find mirth in other's sins (Proverbs 14:9). And —

5. They are to be suspected who are loth to bring themselves to real searching of heart, or that God should try them (Psalm 19:12). Now, all such do more or less regard iniquity in their hearts. But —

II. GOD WILL NOT HEAR THEM. This means —

1. When they cry for deliverance from affliction. God does hear the cry of His children (Psalm 91:15; Psalm 50:15). There are three different objects of desire to a good man while in affliction — the Divine presence to support him under it; the sanctified use of it for the improvement of the spiritual life; and, in due time, complete deliverance from it. The two first, he that regards iniquity in his heart will hardly ask; and the last he shall not be able to obtain (Hosea 7:14).

2. He will not hear them when they intercede for others (John 9:31). It is the prayer of the believing righteous man that availeth (James 5:15, 16). How terrible not to be able to intercede for others because we are of those whom God will not hear. How diligent we should be, who have to pray for others, to see to it that we walk with God.

3. When they draw near to Him in worship (Isaiah 1:14, 15; Proverbs 15:8). Nor —

4. When they cry for mercy at the last (Galatians 6:7; Matthew 7:22, 23; Proverbs 1:24, 28).CONCLUSION.

1. Let the ungodly be alarmed: it only regarding iniquity in the heart cause men to be rejected of God, how shall you appear who are living in open and gross sin?

2. Let us each and all examine ourselves whether we be of those spoken of here. Do we mourn over secret sins, and grieve because of the sin of others? Ask God to search and try your ways. Guard against your besetting sins and live continually as in the presence of God.

(J. Witherspoon.)

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KJV: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

WEB: If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened.