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What does the Bible say about wicked heart?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that the human heart is naturally corrupted by sin, unable to produce true righteousness apart from God's saving grace. Jeremiah 17:9 calls the heart deceitful, and Jesus teaches in Mark 7:21 and Matthew 12:35 that sinful thoughts and actions flow from within. Romans 3:10-18 declares that none is righteous, while Romans 1:21 shows how fallen people darken their understanding by refusing to honor God. Yet God does not leave sinners without hope: through Christ, He forgives those who confess their sins (1 John 1:9) and promises a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). Therefore believers are called to guard their hearts, trust the Lord rather than themselves, and depend on His renewing mercy.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Jeremiah 17:9

    The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?

  • Mark 7:21

    For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,

  • Romans 1:21

    Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.

  • Romans 3:10-18

    [10] As it is written, "There is no one righteous. No, not one. [11] There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God. [12] They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, No, not, so much as one." [13] "Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "The poison of vipers is under their lips;" [14] "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." [15] "Their feet are swift to shed blood. [16] Destruction and misery are in their ways. [17] The way of peace, they haven't known." [18] "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

  • Psalms 118:8

    It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, Than to put confidence in man.

  • Psalms 51:5

    Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.

  • Matthew 12:35

    The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Ezekiel 36:26

    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 a heart of flesh.

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