Topical Encyclopedia In the Christian theological framework, sin is understood as any action, thought, or disposition that is contrary to the will and character of God. The concept of the "unrenewed heart" is central to understanding the nature of sin, particularly in its imaginative and internal dimensions. The unrenewed heart refers to the natural state of humanity, which, according to Scripture, is inherently sinful and inclined toward evil.Biblical Foundation The Bible provides a clear depiction of the human heart's condition apart from divine intervention. In Genesis 6:5 , it is written, "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 underscores the pervasive nature of sin within the human heart, emphasizing that every imagination and thought is tainted by evil. Jeremiah 17:9 further elaborates on this condition: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure—who can understand it?" This passage highlights the deceitful and incurable nature of the unrenewed heart, suggesting that without divine intervention, humanity remains in a state of moral and spiritual corruption. The Imagination and Sin The imagination, as part of the human mind, plays a significant role in the manifestation of sin. In Romans 1:21 , the Apostle Paul describes the process by which humanity, in its fallen state, turns away from God: "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." Here, the futility of human thinking and the darkening of the heart are linked to the rejection of God, illustrating how the imagination can be corrupted by sin. The New Testament further addresses the issue of sinful imaginations in 2 Corinthians 10:5 , where believers are instructed to "demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This verse implies that the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are in opposition to the knowledge of God and must be brought into submission through the transformative power of Christ. The Need for Renewal The unrenewed heart, with its sinful imaginations, necessitates a profound transformation that only God can accomplish. Ezekiel 36:26 promises this divine renewal: "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 prophetic promise points to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who renews the heart and aligns it with God's will. In the New Testament, this renewal is further explained in Romans 12:2 : "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." The renewal of the mind and heart is essential for overcoming the sinful imaginations that characterize the unrenewed state. Conclusion The imaginations of the unrenewed heart are inherently sinful, as depicted in Scripture. This condition underscores the necessity of divine intervention and renewal through the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to align their thoughts and imaginations with the will of God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 6:5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 8:21 Library "And the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son Cleanseth us from all Sin. ... God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued] Aims of the Papacy. Liberty of Conscience Threatened "Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. " Concerning Worship. Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace Resources What is the definition of sin? | GotQuestions.orgThe Study of Sin ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org If Jesus paid the price for our sin, why do we still suffer the consequences of our sin? | GotQuestions.org Sin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sin in Believers is a Reproach to the Lord Sin is the Transgression of the Law Sin Money: General Scriptures Concerning Sin: Aggravated by Neglecting Advantages Sin: All Men are Conceived and Born In Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are Sin: Blessings Withheld on Account of Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away Sin: Christ's Blood Cleanses From Sin: Christ's Blood Redeems From Sin: Confusion of Face Belongs to Those Guilty of Sin: Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Counted In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The Complaint for Bread In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The People of Israel Journey Through Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam Sin: God Has Opened a Fountain For Sin: God is Provoked to Anger By Sin: God is Provoked to Jealousy By Sin: If we Say That we Have No, we Make God a Liar Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From Sin: Not Counted Against Righteous People Sin: Omission of What we Know to be Good Is Sin: Paul's Discussion of the Responsibility For Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People Sin: Saints: Abhor Themselves on Account of Sin: Saints: Ashamed of Having Committed Sin: Saints: Have Yet the Remains of, in Them Sin: Saints: Profess to Have Ceased From Sin: Scripture Concludes all Under Sin: Shall Find out the Wicked Sin: should be Avoided Even in Appearance Sin: should be Guarded Against Sin: should be Striven Against Sin: should be Wholly Destroyed Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest Sin: Specially Strive Against Besetting Sin: The Abominable Thing That God Hates Sin: The Fear of God Restrains Sin: The Ground Was Cursed on Account of Sin: The Holy Spirit Convinces of Sin: The Law by Its Strictness Stirs Up Sin: The Law is the Strength of Sin: The Law is Transgressed by Every Sin: The Law: Curses Those Guilty of Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of Sin: The Law: Made to Restrain Sin: The Law: Shows Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin: The Thought of Foolishness Is Sin: The Wicked: Cannot Cease From Sin: The Wicked: Defy God in Committing Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit Sin: The Wicked: Encourage Themselves In Sin: The Wicked: Encouraged In, by Prosperity Sin: The Wicked: Expect Impunity In Sin: The Wicked: Guilty of, in Everything They Do Sin: The Wicked: Led by Despair to Continue In Sin: The Wicked: Make a Mock At Sin: The Wicked: Plead Necessity For Sin: The Wicked: Shall Bear the Shame of Sin: The Wicked: Tempt Others To Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on God Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on Others Sin: The Wicked: Try to Conceal, from God Sin: The Word of God Keeps From Sin: Toil and Sorrow Originated In Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Sin: we should Pray to God: To Cleanse Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Deliver Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Forgive Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Keep Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Make Us Know Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts Sin: Whatever is not of Faith Is Sin: when Finished Brings Forth Death Related Terms Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) |