Topical Bible: Heart: The Unregenerate is Diabolical

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In biblical theology, the heart is often seen as the center of human will, emotion, and intellect. It is the seat of moral and spiritual life, reflecting the true nature of a person. The unregenerate heart, in its natural state, is described in Scripture as being fundamentally corrupt and diabolical, inclined towards evil and rebellion against God.

Biblical Descriptions of the Unregenerate Heart

The prophet Jeremiah provides a stark depiction of the unregenerate heart: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). This verse underscores the inherent deceitfulness and incurable nature of the heart without divine intervention. The unregenerate heart is not merely flawed but is fundamentally deceitful, leading individuals away from truth and righteousness.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself speaks to the condition of the human heart. In the Gospel of Mark, He states, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly" (Mark 7:21-22). This passage highlights the heart as the source of various sins and moral failings, emphasizing its diabolical nature when unregenerated.

The Influence of Sin and Satan

The unregenerate heart is under the influence of sin and, by extension, the dominion of Satan. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, describes the state of those who are spiritually dead in their transgressions and sins, following "the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). This indicates that the unregenerate heart is not only sinful by nature but also subject to the influence of diabolical forces.

Paul further elaborates on the condition of the unregenerate in Romans, stating, "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so" (Romans 8:7). The unregenerate heart is in a state of enmity against God, unable and unwilling to submit to His righteous standards.

The Need for Regeneration

The diabolical nature of the unregenerate heart necessitates a profound transformation, which Scripture describes as regeneration or being "born again." Jesus emphasizes this need in His conversation with Nicodemus: "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit, transforming the heart from its natural state of sinfulness to one that is aligned with God's will.

Ezekiel prophesies this transformation, promising a new heart and spirit: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). This divine act replaces the diabolical tendencies of the unregenerate heart with a heart that desires to follow God.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of the unregenerate heart is one of profound corruption and diabolical inclination. It is deceitful, rebellious, and under the influence of sin and Satan. The necessity of regeneration through the Holy Spirit is paramount for transforming the heart into one that seeks after God and His righteousness.

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John 13:2
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
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Acts 5:3
But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
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Library

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... you should not be transported to this diabolical excess"if ... that kingdom is, from
which the unregenerate, or those ... neither have entered into the heart of man ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

This Opinion is Neither Heretical nor Allied to any Heresy
... May something of good be attributed to an unregenerate man who is ... to knock does not
yet reside in the heart nor has ... It is not a diabolical impiety, but it is a ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/i this opinion is neither.htm

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... I cannot but fear thy joys are either carnal or diabolical. ... thy case, if thou art
yet an unregenerate person, and ... Lord thy God with all thy heart." The second ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter viii how to discern.htm

The Carnal Mind Enmity against God
... diabolical crime! ... Let me imagine a man entering heaven without a change of heart. ...
sirs, if the unregenerate man could enter heaven, I mention once more the oft ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the carnal mind enmity against.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... believed on the Son of God." Every unregenerate man is ... at those who have had all
that heart could wish ... only compare it to that famous diabolical invention of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... believed on the Son of God." Every unregenerate man is ... at those who have had all
that heart could wish ... only compare it to that famous diabolical invention of ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Dedication.
... remedy, to arouse erring souls from this diabolical lethargy, and ... and to do whatsoever
a heart which is ... to the regenerate than the unregenerate are themselves ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/dedication.htm

A Mighty Saviour
... voluntary acceptance of it by unrenewed and unregenerate men ... He has just been eating
a diabolical meal of human ... of the power of God to change the heart, as well ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a mighty saviour.htm

The History of Simon Magus.
... Unclean spirits, the pretended agents in this diabolical art, crying ... lot in this
matter: for thy heart is not ... profession, to be still in an unregenerate state. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture x the history of.htm

The New-Birth
... the very essence of every fallen, unregenerate soul; yet ... the state and habit of his
heart continually, thankfully ... of the serpent, or the diabolical nature that ...
/.../law/the grounds and reasons of christian regeneration/the new-birth.htm