If we follow the river of sin upstream, we will always find a polluted spring following from a wicked heart. The root problem with sin has always been the heart.  From our text above the Bible describes the heart as “desperately wicked”. “Desperately” comes from the root word “desperate”, meaning overwhelmed with anxiety to the point of losing hope. From our text “desperately” draws its origin from the Hebrew word anash, meaning to be incurably sick. Jesus said, “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.” (Mark 7:21-22). Our problem is from within not without, “All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:23).

    Not only is the heart desperately wicked, but it is also deceitful. It deceives us into complacency and lack of concern to this dreadful condition. Yes the heart is sick, but many do not seem to care, “And none considereth in his heart.” (Isaiah 44:19). In other words it is in opposition to us. It deceives us into self-preservation that always leads to destruction. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). Is there any hope for this body of death?

    Jesus came to “...heal the brokenhearted” (Luke 4:18). The Bible says in Psalm 147:3, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” We need a heart transplant. The Great Physician has come to operate, and the new heart He gives comes from above. Ezekiel 36:26 reads, “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.” Whosoever can come and receive this new heart. He is willing and able to receive all who come to Him by faith. How sad it is that many will never come. They are desperately deceived. Their heart has convinced them it is not sick at all. Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick.” (Luke 5:31). No one goes to the doctor unless they first understand their need to go.

     Josh Greene
        5-31-09