The Heart

What is in the heart of man?  Read Mark 7:14-23, “When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, ‘Hear Me, everyone, and understand: There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!’

When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. So He said to them, ‘Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?’ And He said, ‘What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.’”

The Bible also says this in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”

If you are seeking truth it doesn’t take much to realize that what God’s Word says is true, all you have to do is listen to the news or read the newspaper and you will see or hear what is in the heart of man.

King David said this in Psalms 51:5, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.”

This condition isn’t exclusive to one person but it has affected each of us because we were all born that way.  King David was called a man after God’s own heart and the reason he was, was because he admitted that he was a sinner and he was sorry and confessed and asked forgiveness for his sins.  

Simon Bar-jona was a disciple of Jesus who denied the Lord three times, what did Jesus say about him?  Read Matthew 16:17-18, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’”    

You might say that Jesus didn’t know that Peter would deny Him, read what Jesus told Peter in Matthew 26:30-36, “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’”  

You can read where Peter denied knowing Jesus three times in Matthew 26:69-74.  Then in verse 75 it says this about Peter, “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.”

The question isn’t whether we have this heart condition, but how can we be set free from the grip of sin that is holding us hostage?  There is only one way and that is by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross where He laid down His life and shed His blood for our sins.  John, who was the forerunner of Jesus, preached repentance and so did Peter, the other disciples and Jesus.  We see it in David’s life and Peter’s life also, how they repented and were forgiven.  This is good news that God didn’t leave us without hope, He made a way that we could be forgiven.  

Read what 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

If you want to experience true freedom from sin, repent, which means turn away from your sins and ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and be the Lord of your life.  If you are not sure what to say, repeat David’s repentant prayer in Psalms 51 and if you are sincere and truly mean what you pray and want to get serious with the Lord, the good Lord will forgive you.  Then start studying God’s Word and putting it into practice and start growing in the Lord!!  Share what the Lord has done for you with others.  Don’t just mouth these words, the Lord knows the thoughts and intents of the heart, so don’t just rush through this decision, take your time and let the Lord meet you where you are.

Something to think about!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a great day!!