Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Deceitful

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the deceitful heart is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating the inherent sinfulness and moral corruption present in humanity apart from divine intervention. The unrenewed heart, in its natural state, is depicted as being fundamentally deceitful, leading individuals away from truth and righteousness.

Biblical Foundation

The prophet Jeremiah provides a poignant description of the deceitful heart in Jeremiah 17:9 : "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure—who can understand it?" This verse underscores the profound and pervasive nature of deceit within the human heart, suggesting that it is not only misleading but also inscrutable in its wickedness.

Manifestations of Deceit

1. Self-Deception: The unrenewed heart often leads individuals to deceive themselves, believing they are righteous or justified in their actions when they are not. Proverbs 21:2 states, "All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart." This self-deception blinds individuals to their true spiritual condition and need for repentance.

2. Deception of Others: The deceitful heart also manifests in the way individuals interact with others, often leading to lies, manipulation, and betrayal. Psalm 55:21 describes such deceit: "His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are drawn swords."

3. Resistance to Truth: The unrenewed heart resists the truth of God's Word, preferring falsehoods that align with its desires. Romans 1:25 highlights this tendency: "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen."

Consequences of a Deceitful Heart

The deceitful heart leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God. Isaiah 59:2-3 warns, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice."

Need for Renewal

The Bible emphasizes the necessity of a transformed heart through the work of the Holy Spirit. 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 renewal is essential for overcoming the deceitfulness inherent in the unrenewed heart and aligning one's life with God's truth and righteousness.

Conclusion

The deceitful nature of the unrenewed heart is a significant barrier to spiritual growth and communion with God. Recognizing this condition is the first step toward seeking the transformative power of God's grace, which alone can purify and renew the heart.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

General Character of Christians.
... Herod was a vile character; but "he feared John, knowing that ... by love to God and
duty; the unrenewed by fear ... yea not only in every field, but in every heart. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xi general character of.htm

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
... We can neither see the heart, nor know the thoughts ... had allowedly disregarded
it"that his character was as ... Some suppose that the unrenewed can do nothing but ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvi characters will be.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... of men: they think they are saved when they are still unrenewed. ... Lord permits him
to see his own heart and he ... brother men; if, in a word, his character had not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

Walking with God
... on Enoch's short but comprehensive character: the thing I ... any part of him remains
unrenewed, is enmity ... a enmity of man's desperately wicked and deceitful heart. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

Concerning the Scriptures.
... If it be said, My own heart: ... And how like to be partial, especially if it be yet
unrenewed? ... But further, the various readings of the Hebrew character by reason ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it ...
... a real Christian, the whole temper and character of his ... it formerly was, while in
an unenlightened and unrenewed state ... had, and will give them an heart of flesh ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ii of the nature.htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... between the outward priesthood of dazzling character and the ... command of God"and without
spirit and heart. ... not only continues unchanged and unrenewed in its ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

An Address to the Regenerate, Founded on the Preceding Discourses.
... to persons of a very different character; and I ... the instances in which this perverse
heart of mine ... passions, while the soul continues unrenewed and unsanctified ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse x an address to.htm

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
... in the existence of God"in his righteous character and perfect ... the flesh," means
this"when we were in an unrenewed depraved state. ... The heart," says Jeremiah ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/exposition of the doctrines of.htm