The Wicked Heart

The Wicked Heart by Bill Wilson

There is consistency in what is written in the Bible about the heart of man. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

In Mark 7:21-23, Christ says, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Christ also said in Matthew 12:35, "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things."

The hearts of America's citizens define much of our society.

If wickedness prevails in the heart, what then can good men do to legislate good? There is no end to the evil men do to one another. School shootings, nursing home killings, abortions, murders, racism, bigotry, sexual crimes and domestic violence are commonplace in our society.

Politicians try to solve the problems with symbolic window dressing, but no matter their intentions, the problems remain. All we have to do to see where things stand is turn on the big three television networks in prime time. Sexual innuendo, violence, crime, gunplay is about all you see unless you are watching reality programs that also promote deceit, sexual immorality, coarse humor and human turmoil.

You see, we live in a society that has become very dark. But what did Christ say about our responsibility as his disciples? He said in Matthew 5:13-16, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Ephesians 5:1 says, "Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children."

Verses 8-10 say, "For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

In quoting these scriptures, I want you to see that though the heart is wicked and the world is a dark and evil place, light overcomes darkness. You heart, words and actions are examples for others to have a change of heart, to accept the gift of salvation.

In a sense, we are the warriors of heart to heart combat that others might have eternal life and also become a light unto the world.