“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9

“This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” – Ecclesiastes 9:3

From the very beginning, the Bible warns us about the condition of the human heart. Contrary to modern ideas that tell us to “follow our hearts,” Scripture reveals a sobering truth: our hearts are not to be trusted. They are not pure, they are not reliable, and they do not naturally seek after God. Instead, the heart of man is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). This means that our natural inclinations are corrupt, leading us away from truth and righteousness.

The Deception of the Human Heart

Jeremiah tells us that the heart is not just wicked but also deceitful. This means that our own emotions, desires, and reasoning can mislead us. We often justify sin, excuse wrongdoing, and believe lies about ourselves and God. People trust their own judgment, thinking they know what is best for their lives, but Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Society teaches us to trust our feelings, yet feelings are unstable and unreliable. How many times have people pursued relationships, careers, or decisions based on what “felt right,” only to experience regret and destruction? The heart deceives, leading people to sin while convincing them they are doing what is good.

A Heart Full of Evil and Madness

Ecclesiastes 9:3 further deepens this truth, stating, “The heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live.” This verse shows that sin is not just an occasional mistake but a condition of the human heart. Sin is not merely external actions—it is deeply rooted in the very core of who we are.

Without God, the heart is naturally inclined toward rebellion. This is why people chase after sin, seeking pleasure in things that ultimately destroy them. Romans 3:10-12 declares, “There is none righteous, no, not one… they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

This reality is why no amount of self-improvement, good deeds, or moral effort can change the fundamental problem of the heart. Man is not simply in need of guidance—he needs a complete transformation.

The Only Solution: A New Heart from God

If our hearts are deceitful and wicked, what hope do we have? The answer is found in God alone. Ezekiel 36:26 gives us this promise: “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.”

We do not need self-help; we need divine intervention. Only God can take a heart full of wickedness and make it new. This transformation happens through Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Him, He cleanses us from sin and gives us a new nature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Stop Trusting Your Heart—Trust in the Lord

Since our hearts are deceitful, we must not rely on our own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 commands us, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Instead of following our feelings, we must follow God’s Word. Instead of trusting our emotions, we must trust in His truth.

If we continue to follow our hearts, we will be led into sin, destruction, and ultimately judgment. But if we trust in Christ, He will lead us in righteousness and eternal life.

A Call to Examine Our Hearts

The Bible warns us about the human heart for a reason—it is not to be trusted. The world tells us to follow our hearts, but God’s Word commands us to deny ourselves, repent, and trust in Him. If you have never examined your heart in light of Scripture, now is the time. Do not be deceived by your own desires or the lies of the world. Instead, seek after God, who alone can give you a new heart and a new life.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24