The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9
Bible Verses About The Heart Being Evil
The Deceptiveness of the Heart
We often think of our hearts as the center of love and compassion, yet the Bible teaches us that our hearts can also be deceitful. This truth reminds us that we must be cautious and aware of what resides within us. Our hearts can stray toward selfishness, pride, and sin if left unchecked. As believers, we must invite God’s guidance into our hearts to keep us aligned with His will. By recognizing the potential evil within our hearts, we can seek help and cleansing from Him. We must listen to His word and allow it to mold our hearts into something pure and good.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. – Proverbs 4:23
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. – Matthew 15:19
Mark 7:21
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery. – Mark 7:21
Genesis 6:5
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. – Genesis 6:5
The Need for a New Heart
As we reflect on the heart’s sinful nature, we realize our need for transformation. God promises us a new heart, one that is clean and pure. Through Jesus Christ and His love, we can be made new. This renewal is not merely an outward change, but an inward work that realigns our desires to reflect God’s intentions. We are called to surrender our old hearts, corrupted by sin, and embrace the new hearts God offers us. Accepting this gift allows us to live lives that glorify Him and promote His righteousness.
Ezekiel 36:26
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. – Ezekiel 36:26
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. – Psalms 51:10
Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:10
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
Guarding Our Hearts
With the recognition of our heart’s evil tendencies comes the responsibility to guard our hearts. Protecting our hearts is essential for living out our faith authentically. We should take every thought captive and ensure that what we allow to fill our hearts aligns with God’s truth. Engaging with His Word, worship, and fellowship can safeguard us against harmful influences. By filling our hearts with goodness and light, we can protect ourselves from the darkness that desperately tries to creep in.
Proverbs 23:19
Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. – Proverbs 23:19
Luke 6:45
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. – Luke 6:45
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
1 Timothy 6:11
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. – 1 Timothy 6:11
Choosing to Follow God
Choosing to follow God is a decision we must make daily. The temptation to follow our hearts can lead us astray, yet we can choose to redirect our hearts towards Him. God wants us to depend on Him, and by doing so, we allow Him to lead us away from the evil within us. Our ability to discern right from wrong is strengthened as we commit ourselves to His ways and trust in His promises. By choosing to center our lives around Him, we enable our hearts to flourish.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:7
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:8
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21
The Heart of Christ
The heart of Christ shows us what true goodness is. Unlike our hearts, which can be prone to evil, His heart is perfect and pure. By focusing on His life and teachings, we find examples of love, grace, and mercy. He calls us to model our lives after Him, cultivating a heartfelt relationship with God and others. We must remember that through our faith in Jesus, we can have His heart transformed within us. Allowing His heart to shine through us enables us to overcome the darkness within.
John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13
Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:29
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. – Luke 19:10
1 John 4:9
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. – 1 John 4:9
The Hope for Our Hearts
Although the Bible speaks of the heart’s evil nature, we also have hope in Christ. His sacrifice covers our sins and redeems our hearts. We are able to lean on His strength and guidance to resist temptation, knowing that He has overcome the world. Christ gives us the ability to climb out of the pit of sin and sets our feet on solid ground. Our hope is solid as we trust in Him, and His righteousness flows through us, replacing the evil that once dwelled in our hearts with His goodness.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
Psalms 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalms 147:3
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the evil nature of the heart reminds us of our need for God’s guidance and transformation. Through His Word, we have gained insight into the importance of guarding our hearts, seeking a new heart, and emulating Christ’s love. Our hearts must be filled with His goodness to protect against the evils that may arise. We should remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God will help us navigate the challenges of life while guiding us back to Him. Seeking a pure heart and recognizing the heart’s tendency toward evil can enrich our relationship with God and with others.
Let us actively guard our hearts and choose Jesus daily. He is the source of our strength and the healer of our hearts. In Him, we discover true hope and love, replacing the evil that once lurked within. If you’re interested in diving deeper into Scripture, check out more insights from Jeremiah and explore God’s guidance in your path.
Always remember that God’s love provides us with the strength we need to overcome the evil in our hearts and empowers us to share that love with a world in need.