James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” As I meditated on this verse, I asked the Holy Spirit how we ask amiss.

Then my eyes glanced at my cross references and saw Psalm 66:18. I know that verse but I never had connected the two verses before. It says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”

Slip over to Ezekiel 14:4. Written about Israel. It is about heart idols “…puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity…I the Lord will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols.” Hidden sin is an idol. It takes God’s place as first in our heart.

James 4:8 says, “…purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Double-minded in this sense is wanting to please the Lord, yet at the same time refusing to let go of something that He has pointed out to you.