Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Far from God

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The unrenewed heart, as depicted in the Scriptures, is fundamentally distant from God, characterized by a nature that is inherently opposed to His holiness and righteousness. This condition is a result of the fall of man, which introduced sin into the human experience, creating a chasm between humanity and the divine.

Depravity and Rebellion

The unrenewed heart is marked by depravity and rebellion against God. Jeremiah 17:9 describes the heart as "deceitful above all things and beyond cure—who can understand it?" This verse highlights the inherent deceitfulness and moral corruption of the unrenewed heart, which is incapable of true understanding or righteousness apart from divine intervention.

Alienation from God

Ephesians 4:18 speaks to the alienation of the unrenewed heart: "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." This alienation is both intellectual and spiritual, as the unrenewed heart is unable to comprehend or accept the things of God due to its hardened state.

Pride and Self-Sufficiency

Pride is a defining characteristic of the unrenewed heart, leading to self-sufficiency and a rejection of God's authority. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." The unrenewed heart exalts itself above God, seeking autonomy and self-glorification rather than submission to the Creator.

Spiritual Blindness

The unrenewed heart is spiritually blind, unable to perceive the truth of the Gospel. 2 Corinthians 4:4 states, "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." This blindness is a result of both satanic influence and the heart's own resistance to divine truth.

Enmity with God

Romans 8:7 declares, "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." The unrenewed heart is in a state of enmity with God, actively opposing His will and incapable of genuine obedience. This hostility is a natural outgrowth of the heart's sinful condition.

Desire for Worldly Pleasures

The unrenewed heart is drawn to worldly pleasures and desires, seeking fulfillment in temporal things rather than in God. 1 John 2:15-16 admonishes, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world." The unrenewed heart prioritizes earthly desires over spiritual truths, further distancing itself from God.

Conclusion

The character of the unrenewed heart is one of profound separation from God, marked by sin, rebellion, and spiritual blindness. It is only through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit and the acceptance of Christ's redemptive sacrifice that the heart can be renewed and reconciled to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 29:13
Why the Lord said, For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 15:8
This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Paul, the Teacher of Prayer
... He is below zero, so far as Christ and God and heaven ... with, apart from, aloof from
The natural, unrenewed heart has no ... Prayer is the true test of character. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xii paul the teacher of.htm

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

Character and Condition of the Churches to whom the Epistle was ...
... spirit shows itself equally, when the unrenewed nature of ... lips, while yet the whole
inward character has formed ... therefore, be in heaven; whose heart belongs to ...
/.../the epistle of james practically explained/ 4 character and condition.htm

The National Preacher.
... disclosure of the true feelings of the unrenewed heart. ... stubbornness of the sinful
heart: and the ... effectuate that transformation of character, that spiritual ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/the national preacher.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... Hence men generally, and unrenewed men always, are ... personal examination, the
worthlessness of human character, with a ... could but fathom the human heart as God ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

The Necessity of Divine Influences.
... of the man of irreproachable morals but unrenewed heart is as ... consciousness of the
"plague of the heart" which says ... in your moral state and character, as they ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the necessity of divine influences.htm

Spiritualism.
... years, and in these its real character stands revealed. ... Even in its present form,
so far from being ... 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?
... years, and in these its real character stands revealed. ... Even in its present form,
so far from being ... a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 34 can our dead.htm

Divine Impartiality Considered.
... we would not attempt to vindicate his character as an ... Those who are unrenewed are
not all equally depraved ... will be opened, which will open every heart, and life ...
/.../sermon vi divine impartiality considered.htm

Snares of Satan.
... in His word sufficient evidence of its divine character. ... is the natural outgrowth
of the unrenewed heart, which is ... that spread their dark branches far and wide ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm