Topical Bible: Heart: The Unregenerate is Wayward

◄ Heart: The Unregenerate is Wayward ►

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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 particular, is depicted in Scripture as inherently wayward and rebellious against God.

The prophet Jeremiah provides a poignant description 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 moral corruption of the heart that has not been transformed by divine grace. The unregenerate heart is not only deceitful but also beyond human ability to fully comprehend or rectify.

In the New Testament, Jesus further elaborates on the condition of the unregenerate 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 foolishness" (Mark 7:21-22). This passage highlights the natural inclination of the unregenerate heart towards sin and moral corruption, manifesting in various forms of wickedness.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the waywardness of the unregenerate heart in his epistle to the Romans. He writes, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts" (Romans 1:21). Here, Paul describes the unregenerate heart as being darkened and foolish, rejecting the knowledge of God and turning to idolatry and immorality.

The waywardness of the unregenerate heart is further illustrated in the book of Proverbs, which warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). This proverb reflects the misguided nature of the unregenerate heart, which often leads individuals down paths that ultimately result in spiritual and moral ruin.

Throughout Scripture, the unregenerate heart is portrayed as resistant to God's truth and prone to wander from His commandments. The psalmist laments, "They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one" (Psalm 14:3). This universal indictment of humanity's fallen condition emphasizes the need for divine intervention to transform the wayward heart.

The biblical narrative consistently presents the unregenerate heart as in need of renewal and redemption. The promise of a new heart is central to the message of the Gospel, as seen in Ezekiel's prophecy: "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 transformative work is accomplished through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit, leading to a heart that is aligned with God's will and purposes.

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2 Chronicles 12:14
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.
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Psalm 101:4
A fraudulent heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
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Proverbs 6:14
Frowardness is in his heart, he devises mischief continually; he sows discord.
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Proverbs 11:20
They that are of a fraudulent heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
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Proverbs 12:8
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
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Proverbs 17:20
He that has a fraudulent heart finds no good: and he that has a perverse tongue falls into mischief.
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Jeremiah 5:23
But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
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Hebrews 3:10
Why I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
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Library

Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents
... give him not up to his own wayward tastes and ... me before the tribunal of Christ in
an unregenerate state ... from which the sharpest arrows have pierced man's heart. ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvi prov 22 6 the.htm