In the sacred scriptures, believers find a profound reflection on the nature of the human heart. As people who seek spiritual guidance and growth, we encounter the Bible’s teachings about the heart’s inherent nature. The Bible’s assertion that the heart is “desperately wicked” resonates deeply with believers, offering valuable insights into the human condition.
The concept of the heart as desperately wicked serves as a reminder that all humans are born with an inclination toward sin. This inherent human flaw challenges us to recognize the need for salvation and redemption through faith. Through this perspective, believers are encouraged to pursue a path of spiritual transformation, acknowledging their need for God’s grace and guidance to overcome the natural inclination toward selfishness and sin.
Understanding the desperately wicked nature of the heart fosters humility. By acknowledging our own weaknesses, we embrace a more genuine relationship with God. This humility allows us to experience the transformative power of God’s love, leading to growth and moral development.
Moreover, recognizing the desperate nature of the heart encourages believers to exercise discernment and self-reflection. It prompts us to evaluate our intentions, actions, and attitudes, seeking alignment with God’s will. This self-awareness enables us to make conscious choices that align with our faith and values.
Ultimately, the concept of the heart being desperately wicked should not lead believers into despair, but rather into a deeper reliance on God’s transformative power. As we engage in prayer, scripture study, and fellowship, we allow the divine influence to shape our hearts and minds, leading us toward righteousness and spiritual growth.
The Bible’s portrayal of the heart as desperately wicked serves as a potent reminder of the human inclination towards sin. For believers, this teaching inspires humility, self-reflection, and a deep reliance on God’s grace. By understanding our own limitations, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the divine, enabling us to lead lives that honor our faith and glorify God.
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Genesis 6:5
“And 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”
Ecclesiastes 9:3
“This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, 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”
Psalm 51:5
“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me”
Proverbs 4:23
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”
Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies”
Romans 1:21
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened”
Romans 8:7
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be”
James 4:8
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded”
Proverbs 20:9
“Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?”
Psalm 53:1
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good”
Ephesians 4:18
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart”
Romans 7:18
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not”
Proverbs 21:4
“An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin”
Matthew 5:28
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”
Proverbs 12:20
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy”
Proverbs 28:26
“He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered”
Proverbs 14:13
“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness”
Proverbs 6:14
“Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord”
Isaiah 29:13
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men”
James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain”
Romans 2:5
“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God”
Psalm 10:3
“For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth”
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”
Psalm 36:1
“The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes”
2 Chronicles 12:14
“And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord”
Titus 1:15
“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled”
Psalm 58:3
“The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies”
Proverbs 10:20
“The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth”
Psalm 140:2
“Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war”
Psalm 64:6
“They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep”
Proverbs 15:4
“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit”
Isaiah 32:6
“For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the Lord , to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail”
Psalm 55:21
“The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords”
Isaiah 44:20
“He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
Proverbs 11:20
“They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord : but such as are upright in their way are his delight”
Proverbs 28:14
“Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief”
Romans 10:10
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”
1 John 3:20
“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things”
Hebrews 3:8
“Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness”
Psalm 44:21
“Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart”
Psalm 73:7
“Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish”
Proverbs 26:23
“Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross”
Psalm 101:5
“Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer”
Proverbs 22:15
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him”