Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Full of Evil

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The concept of the unrenewed heart, as depicted in the Bible, is one that is inherently filled with evil and corruption. This condition is a result of the fall of humanity and the inherent sin nature that has been passed down through generations. The Scriptures provide a vivid portrayal of the unrenewed heart, emphasizing its inclination towards evil and its need for divine transformation.

Biblical Descriptions of the Unrenewed Heart

1. Deceitful and Desperately Wicked: The prophet Jeremiah provides a stark description of the unrenewed heart, stating, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). This verse highlights the inherent deceit and wickedness that characterize the human heart apart from God's renewing work.

2. Foolishness and Darkness: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul describes the unrenewed heart as being darkened in understanding and alienated from the life of God. He writes, "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 underscores the spiritual blindness and ignorance that accompany an unrenewed heart.

3. Filled with Evil Thoughts and Actions: Jesus Himself speaks to the evil that emanates from the heart, saying, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly" (Mark 7:21-22). This comprehensive list of sins illustrates the depth of corruption present in the unrenewed heart.

4. Rebellion Against God: The unrenewed heart is also characterized by its rebellion against God. In Romans, Paul explains, "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so" (Romans 8:7). This hostility and inability to submit to God's law highlight the rebellious nature of the unrenewed heart.

5. Pride and Self-Exaltation: Pride is a significant aspect of the unrenewed heart. Proverbs warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). The unrenewed heart often exalts itself above others and even above God, leading to its downfall.

The Need for Renewal

The Bible consistently points to the necessity of a heart transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. The unrenewed heart, filled with evil, cannot please God or inherit the kingdom of heaven. Jesus emphasizes the need for spiritual rebirth, stating, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). This new birth involves a radical change of heart, where the old, evil inclinations are replaced with a new nature that seeks after righteousness and holiness.

The promise of a new heart is beautifully captured in the prophecy of Ezekiel: "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 divine promise underscores the transformative power of God to renew the heart and fill it with His Spirit, enabling believers to live in accordance with His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Moral Insanity.
... the Bible, therefore, the heart, in all unrenewed men, is ... had one common heart"all
alike in moral character. ... the phraseology is expressive: "the heart of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/ix moral insanity.htm

Spiritualism.
... a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its ... who indulge sinful traits
of character, or wilfully ... so agreeable to the carnal heart, and renounce ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /34 spiritualism.htm

Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
... a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its ... who indulge sinful traits
of character, or willfully ... so agreeable to the carnal heart, and renounce ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 34 can our dead.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... They arrive at their full import progressively. ... The tendency that there is in the
unrenewed heart to seek life by ... men in a state of sin, has the character of a ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... sentence of death, for murders of the most atrocious character. ... What unrenewed man
thinks it a sin to forget God ... God now and let out thine heart without any ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

Snares of Satan.
... in His word sufficient evidence of its divine character. ... is omnipotent, the Heart
that is full of love ... 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
... in His word sufficient evidence of its divine character. ... is omnipotent, the Heart
that is full of love ... is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart, which is ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

Entire Sanctification
... spirit of error will work in the unrenewed heart, filling it ... man that he ever met."
As the character of Socrates ... Every man whose heart is full of the love of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clarke/entire sanctification/entire sanctification.htm

Walking with God
... observations, on Enoch's short but comprehensive character: the thing ... as any part
of him remains unrenewed, is enmity ... You see, my brethren, my heart is full; I ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
... Its full accomplishment in every jot and title is ... Having thus noticed the everlasting
character of the ... devil, and the spirit of the unhumbled, unrenewed heart. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood of the everlasting.htm