Topical Bible: Heart: The Unregenerate is Double (Duplicity)

◄ Heart: The Unregenerate is Double (Duplicity) ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical theology, the concept of the heart is central to understanding human nature and spiritual condition. The heart, as described in Scripture, is the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and spiritual life. It is the core of a person's being, influencing thoughts, actions, and decisions. However, the Bible also presents a stark portrayal of the unregenerate heart, often characterized by duplicity and double-mindedness.

The unregenerate heart, according to Scripture, is inherently deceitful and prone to duplicity. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse highlights the natural state of the human heart apart from divine intervention. It is not only deceitful but also beyond human ability to fully comprehend or rectify.

Duplicity in the unregenerate heart is further illustrated in James 1:8 , which describes a double-minded person as "unstable in all his ways." This instability is a result of a divided heart, one that wavers between allegiance to God and the allure of worldly desires. Such a heart is not fully committed to God, leading to inconsistency in faith and practice.

The duplicity of the unregenerate heart is also evident in its tendency to profess faith outwardly while harboring unbelief inwardly. Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 15:8 , quoting Isaiah, "These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me." This hypocrisy is a hallmark of the unregenerate state, where external religious observance masks an internal rebellion against God.

Moreover, the unregenerate heart is often characterized by a love for sin and a resistance to God's truth. Romans 8:7 explains, "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so." This hostility and inability to submit to God's law underscore the duplicity of the unregenerate heart, which may acknowledge God's existence yet refuse to yield to His authority.

The Bible calls for a transformation of the heart, a regeneration that only God can accomplish. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "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." This divine act of regeneration replaces the double-mindedness of the unregenerate heart with a singular devotion to God.

In conclusion, the unregenerate heart is marked by duplicity, characterized by deceit, instability, hypocrisy, and resistance to God. It is only through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit that a heart can be renewed, enabling a person to love and serve God with undivided loyalty. The call to believers is to seek this transformation, allowing God to create in them a pure heart, steadfast and true.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 12:33
Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
Nave's Topical Index

Hosea 10:2
Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.
Nave's Topical Index

James 1:6,8
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 28:14
Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 9:9
And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 10:12
Why it shall come to pass, that when the Lord has performed his whole work on mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 46:12
Listen to me, you stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

part i
... A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." [19 ... do not do God's work with your
heart divided in ... jealous God, and will not suffer your duplicity, your self ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm