Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Prone to Error

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◄ Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Prone to Error ►

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The unrenewed heart, as depicted in the Bible, is inherently flawed and inclined towards error. This condition is a result of the fall of humanity and the pervasive nature of sin. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the characteristics and tendencies of the unrenewed heart, emphasizing its proneness to error and deviation from God's truth.

Deceptive Nature

The unrenewed heart is described as deceitful and desperately wicked. In Jeremiah 17:9, the prophet declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" . This verse highlights the intrinsic deceitfulness of the human heart, which leads individuals away from righteousness and truth. The unrenewed heart is prone to self-deception, often justifying sinful actions and thoughts.

Foolishness and Lack of Understanding

Scripture frequently associates the unrenewed heart with foolishness and a lack of understanding. In Romans 1:21, Paul 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" . This passage illustrates how the unrenewed heart, despite having knowledge of God, fails to honor Him, resulting in futile and erroneous thinking.

Rebellion Against God

The unrenewed heart is naturally rebellious against God and His commandments. 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 promise underscores the need for divine intervention to transform the rebellious heart into one that is obedient and receptive to God's will.

Inclination Toward Evil

The inclination of the unrenewed heart toward evil is evident throughout Scripture. In Genesis 6:5, it is recorded, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time" . This verse reflects the pervasive nature of sin in the human heart, which continually gravitates toward evil and away from God's righteousness.

Resistance to Truth

The unrenewed heart resists the truth of God's Word and is susceptible to falsehood. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns, "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 errors.

Need for Renewal

The Bible consistently emphasizes the necessity of heart renewal through the work of the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 51:10, David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" . This plea for a renewed heart reflects the understanding that only God can transform the unrenewed heart, making it capable of discerning truth and living in accordance with His will.

The unrenewed heart, as portrayed in Scripture, is fundamentally prone to error, characterized by deceit, foolishness, rebellion, and an inclination toward evil. It resists the truth and requires divine intervention for transformation and renewal.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 95:10
Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant
... wrath, as inheritors of sin as prone to every ... Having thus noticed the everlasting
character of the ... the devil, and the spirit of the unhumbled, unrenewed heart. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blood of the everlasting.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