Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Darkened

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◄ Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Darkened ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the "darkened" heart is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating the spiritual blindness and moral corruption inherent in humanity apart from divine intervention. This condition is emblematic of the unrenewed heart, which is estranged from the life and light of God.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul provides a vivid description of the darkened 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, the darkening of the heart is linked to a willful rejection of God's truth and a failure to honor Him, resulting in futile thinking and moral decay.

In Ephesians, Paul further elaborates on this condition, stating, "They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts" (Ephesians 4:18). This passage highlights the connection between a darkened understanding and spiritual alienation, rooted in ignorance and hardness of heart.

Spiritual Blindness

The darkened heart is often associated with spiritual blindness, a state where individuals are unable to perceive or accept spiritual truths. Jesus Himself addressed this condition, saying, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23). This metaphor underscores the profound impact of spiritual blindness on one's entire being.

Moral Corruption

The darkened heart is not only blind but also morally corrupt. In the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of those who love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). This preference for darkness over light is indicative of a heart that is unrenewed and resistant to the transformative power of God's truth.

Resistance to Truth

The unrenewed heart is characterized by a resistance to truth, as seen in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4). This blinding is a deliberate act of spiritual warfare, preventing individuals from embracing the gospel.

Need for Renewal

The darkened heart underscores the necessity of spiritual renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of God's promise to give His people a new heart and spirit, removing the heart of stone and replacing it with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). This transformation is essential for overcoming the darkness and entering into the light of God's presence.

In summary, the character of the unrenewed heart as darkened is a profound biblical theme that highlights humanity's need for divine intervention and the transformative power of the gospel. Through the renewal of the heart, individuals are brought from darkness into the marvelous light of God's truth and grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... Thus, the understanding that was formerly darkened and misdirected ... tendency that
there is in the unrenewed heart to seek ... a state of sin, has the character of a ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law.
... though there can be of a creature's character and inclination ... a spasmodic effort
it costs an unrenewed man even ... He brings the human heart into harmony with the ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the original and the actual.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it ...
... was, while in an unenlightened and unrenewed state ... few important branches of the
Christian character, which may ... as to a practical and heart-impressing knowledge ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ii of the nature.htm

The Heresies of the Apostolic Age.
... gospel exerts its proper influence on the character it produces ... a test for ascertaining
the state of the heart. ... discoveries; but those who are unrenewed in the ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the heresies of.htm