Throughout the entire Bible, we see documented evidence of the condition of man’s heart. In Jeremiah 17:9 God warns: ”The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?" This aptly describes man’s depravity — the effect of inheriting the sin nature from Adam.
When we consider our lives, and that of those around us, we can truly see evidence of our heart’s condition. Jesus gave this sobering thought, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mk. 7:21-23). WOW! A sinful life is the product of a sinful heart.
There is hope, however. The Prophet Ezekiel speaks of God’s promise of sanctification and cleansing of the heart. He shows that only GOD can change the heart of man. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ez. 36:25-26).
Yes, God can change your heart and mine. But it is a process that begins with humbly acknowledging our need for change and surrendering our hearts to Christ. Only then we can truly live for Him.