For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Matthew 15:19

Recommended Reading

Matthew 15:1-20

Last year the American Environmental Protection Agency allowed an ocean of sludge to pollute Colorado’s Animas River, turning the tributary to a sickening bright yellow. The accident occurred when a crew tried to pump out the polluted buildup of an abandoned mine. The waste overflowed, ruining a hundred-mile stretch of river.

According to Jesus, the human heart is a cesspool of evil, which overflows into our words and deeds. Our world is polluted by the toxic buildup of our hearts. The problem isn’t political, and it can’t be solved by political means. It’s not legal, and all the laws in the world can’t solve it. It’s not educational. If everyone had a doctorate, we’d still have a corrupted culture. It’s not financial; and if everyone were a millionaire, we’d still be in trouble.

Moral hearts lead to moral hands, and only a transformed life brings holy habits. It’s not enough to turn over a new leaf, pass a new law, elect a new president, or create a new slogan. The only answer is a new heart. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The greatest need you and I have—the greatest need of collective humanity—is renovation of the heart.

Dallas Willard

Read-Thru-the-Bible

Numbers 11–13

http://www.davidjeremiah.org/