The Bible describes the heart of man as deceitful and desperately wicked, indicating our inherent sinfulness (Jeremiah 17:9).
In Jeremiah 17:9, the scripture states that 'the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?' This highlights the condition of man's heart by nature—deceitful and fundamentally opposed to God. The heart represents not just emotions but also will, mind, and conscience. Thus, every person, being born in Adam and spiritually dead in sins, possesses a heart that leads them to believe they can earn favor with God through their actions, which is a deceptive and wicked notion.
Scripture References:
Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 2:1, Proverbs 19:21, Matthew 12:34-35, Genesis 6:5, Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 27:19, Romans 3:23, John 18:28, Matthew 15:18-19, 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 20:5, Mark 7:14-23, Romans 8:7, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 15:18-20, Matthew 15:19-20, Matthew 12:34, 1 Peter 2:11
Commentary