Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Studies Destruction

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The unrenewed heart, as depicted in the Bible, is fundamentally inclined towards destruction and chaos. This inclination is not merely a passive state but an active pursuit of paths that lead away from life and righteousness. The Scriptures provide a vivid portrayal of this condition, emphasizing the inherent corruption and waywardness of the human heart apart from divine intervention.

Biblical Descriptions

The prophet Jeremiah provides a stark description of the unrenewed heart: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). This verse underscores the heart's natural propensity towards deceit and moral decay, suggesting that without renewal, it is beyond human remedy.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul elaborates on the destructive tendencies of the unrenewed heart. In his letter to the Romans, he writes, "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery lie in their wake, and the way of peace they have not known" (Romans 3:15-17). Here, Paul paints a picture of a heart that not only gravitates towards violence but also leaves a trail of devastation and unrest.

Pursuit of Destruction

The unrenewed heart is characterized by a deliberate pursuit of destructive behaviors and ideologies. Proverbs warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). This verse highlights the deceptive allure of paths that appear promising but ultimately lead to spiritual and physical ruin.

The inclination towards destruction is further illustrated in the actions of those who reject divine wisdom. In the book of Hosea, God laments the self-destructive choices of His people: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). The absence of divine knowledge and understanding results in a trajectory towards destruction, as the unrenewed heart fails to recognize the life-giving truth of God's Word.

Moral and Spiritual Blindness

The unrenewed heart is often marked by a profound moral and spiritual blindness. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, describes this condition: "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 hardness of heart leads to a separation from God and an inability to perceive the destructive nature of one's own actions.

Resistance to Truth

A significant aspect of the unrenewed heart is its resistance to truth and righteousness. In the Gospel of John, Jesus addresses this resistance: "And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19). The preference for darkness over light signifies a willful rejection of truth, resulting in a life oriented towards destruction.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of the unrenewed heart is one of inherent deceit, moral blindness, and a relentless pursuit of paths that lead to destruction. This condition underscores the necessity of divine intervention and renewal through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, as only through such renewal can the heart be turned from its natural inclination towards destruction to a life of righteousness and peace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 24:2
For their heart studies destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Entire Sanctification
... spirit of error will work in the unrenewed heart, filling it ... that he ever met." As
the character of Socrates ... While there is an empty, longing heart, there is a ...
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