Topical Bible: The Heart: Take Heed Lest It to be Deceived

◄ The Heart: Take Heed Lest It to be Deceived ►

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The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. It is the seat of our desires, intentions, and moral compass. The Bible frequently warns believers to guard their hearts against deception, emphasizing the susceptibility of the heart to be led astray by sin, false teachings, and worldly influences.

Biblical Warnings Against Deception

The Bible provides numerous admonitions regarding the heart's vulnerability to deception. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" . This verse underscores the inherent deceitfulness of the human heart, suggesting that it is prone to self-deception and moral corruption.

In Proverbs 4:23, believers are instructed, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life" . This passage highlights the importance of vigilance in protecting the heart, as it influences one's entire being and actions.

The Role of Sin and Temptation

Sin and temptation play significant roles in deceiving the heart. James 1:14-15 explains, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" . This progression illustrates how unchecked desires can lead to sin, ultimately resulting in spiritual death.

The heart's inclination towards sin is further emphasized in Mark 7:21-23, where Jesus teaches, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man" . This passage reveals the heart as the origin of various sins, necessitating constant vigilance and repentance.

False Teachings and Worldly Influences

The New Testament warns against false teachings that can deceive the heart. In Colossians 2:8, Paul cautions, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ" . This warning highlights the danger of being swayed by teachings that deviate from the truth of the Gospel.

Similarly, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 warns, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" . This passage underscores the tendency of individuals to seek teachings that align with their desires, rather than adhering to biblical truth.

Guarding the Heart

To guard against deception, believers are encouraged to immerse themselves in Scripture and prayer. Psalm 119:11 declares, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You" . By internalizing God's Word, believers can fortify their hearts against sin and deception.

Furthermore, Philippians 4:7 promises, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . Through prayer and reliance on God's peace, believers can protect their hearts from anxiety and deception.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding and protecting the believer's heart. In John 16:13, Jesus assures, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth" . The Holy Spirit helps discern truth from deception, providing wisdom and understanding to navigate the complexities of life.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 offers a promise of transformation: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances" . This transformation enables believers to live in obedience to God, with hearts attuned to His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 11:16
Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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Choice of Company
... And the enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart take counsel how
to overthrow ... Keep them to thyself, and take earnest heed, for thou ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/v choice of company.htm

The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
... assuredly standeth take heed lest he fall." How firmly soever he may stand, he has
still a deceitful heart. In how many instances has he been deceived already! ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 123 the deceitfulness of.htm

Silence Should not Remain Unbroken, nor Should it Arise from ...
... all diligence." [46] If David took heed, wilt thou not take heed? ... is thy mind, thy
gold thy heart, thy silver ... thorns, that is, with pious care, lest the fierce ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii silence should not.htm

St. Ambrose Teaches Out of the Prophet Isaiah what they must do ...
... Take heed, lest by resisting the commandments of God you fall ... How, then, can you
take away the very comfort ... bowels, with what conversion of heart: "Behold," he ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi st ambrose teaches.htm

The Sins of the Men of Old Time, which Incurred the Displeasure of ...
... with the Lord, as was the heart of David his ... let him that thinketh he standeth, take
heed lest he fall ... Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviithe sins of the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them ...
... Yet if thou give not heed to Him who hath said ... away what thou hast acquired, Me he
shall not take away from ... art in confusion, tossed to and fro; thy heart as a ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvii on the words.htm

The Testament of Judah Concerning Fortitude, and Love of Money ...
... face of no woman of goodly form ever deceived me, and ... me according to the thought
of my heart, insomuch that ... even if ye drink not at all, take heed lest ye sin ...
/.../iv the testament of judah concerning.htm

A Caution to the Presumptuous
... He leaves every heart where pride dwelleth; that evil ... suspicious, because he so greatly
deceived them, and ... him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a caution to the presumptuous.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... that no anger or contempt have any place in your heart. ... Only "take heed how you hear:"
Beware of them and of ... Hear with fear and trembling, lest you should be ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 32 upon our lords.htm

A Divided Heart
... Take heed, sinner, take heed, running on in thy sin thou wilt ... the FUTURE PUNISHMENT
of the man whose heart is divided ... This morning I have sought to take the fan ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm