Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Deceived

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◄ Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Deceived ►

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The concept of the unrenewed heart being deceived is a recurring theme in the Bible, illustrating the spiritual blindness and moral corruption inherent in humanity apart from divine intervention. The unrenewed heart, in its natural state, is prone to deception, leading individuals away from the truth of God and into a life of sin and error.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently addresses the deceitfulness of the human heart. In Jeremiah 17:9, the prophet declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" . This verse underscores the inherent deceitfulness and complexity of the human heart, suggesting that it is naturally inclined to lead individuals astray.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his letter to the Ephesians. He warns believers about the futility of the unrenewed mind, 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). Here, Paul highlights the spiritual blindness and ignorance that characterize the unrenewed heart, which is estranged from the life and truth of God.

Manifestations of Deception

The deception of the unrenewed heart manifests in various ways. One primary manifestation is self-deception, where individuals convince themselves of their own righteousness or deny their need for God. In 1 John 1:8, the apostle warns, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" . This self-deception prevents individuals from recognizing their sinful state and their need for repentance and salvation.

Another manifestation is the susceptibility to false teachings and doctrines. The unrenewed heart is easily swayed by teachings that deviate from the truth of Scripture. Paul cautions Timothy about this in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, saying, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" . This passage highlights the tendency of the unrenewed heart to reject sound doctrine in favor of teachings that align with personal desires and misconceptions.

Consequences of Deception

The deception of the unrenewed heart leads to spiritual and moral consequences. It results in a life that is misaligned with God's will and purpose. Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" . This verse illustrates the perilous outcome of following a path dictated by a deceived heart, ultimately leading to spiritual death and separation from God.

Moreover, the deception of the unrenewed heart can lead to a hardened conscience, making individuals less responsive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 1:21, Paul describes those who, "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" . This hardening of the heart results in a further descent into sin and estrangement from God.

Hope for Renewal

Despite the bleak picture painted by the deceitfulness of the unrenewed heart, the Bible offers hope for transformation through the renewal of the heart and mind. In Ezekiel 36:26, God 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 promise points to the possibility of a renewed heart, one that is receptive to God's truth and aligned with His will.

The renewal of the heart is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 12:2, Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" . Through this transformation, the heart is no longer deceived but is enlightened and guided by the truth of God's Word.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 44:20
He feeds on ashes: a deceived heart has turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Spiritualism.
... But none need be deceived by the lying claims ... years, and in these its real character
stands revealed ... a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /34 spiritualism.htm

Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
... But none need be deceived by the lying claims ... years, and in these its real character
stands revealed ... a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 34 can our dead.htm

Snares of Satan.
... But none need be deceived concerning them ... in His word sufficient evidence of its
divine character. ... God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart, which is ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

Snares of Satan
... But none need be deceived concerning them ... in His word sufficient evidence of its
divine character. ... God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart, which is ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism ... A religion of externals is
attractive to the unrenewed heart. ... power, by which many are deceived; and they ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism ... A religion of externals is
attractive to the unrenewed heart. ... power, by which many are deceived; and they ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... Hence men generally, and unrenewed men always, are ... of personal character; for that
character, when subjected ... deceived who supposes that his heart will appear ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... an unclean thing, that his heart has deceived him, that ... every imagination and thought
of his heart, naturally, is ... You have given me a very bad character of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

Entire Sanctification
... spirit of error will work in the unrenewed heart, filling it ... he may secure a continual
residence in their heart. ... master, and say what his moral character was. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clarke/entire sanctification/entire sanctification.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... of death, for murders of the most atrocious character. ... and ready acknowledgments
of a man whose heart is touched ... What unrenewed man thinks it a sin to forget ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm