The Heart and the Thoughts: One Same Root

Introduction

Today’s message speaks to every human being on this earth, because each one of us has a heart. In the Bible, the heart represents the inner person, our thoughts, our will, and our affections. It is the very center of who we are, the place where our true identity is found. 

And each of us also has thoughts, thoughts that rise within us continually, thoughts that we must face and deal with every single day. Depending on the condition of our heart, these thoughts will influence us in very different ways, either drawing us toward what is good, or pulling us toward what is evil in the choices we make.

In the end, our choices, our decisions, and the direction of our entire life are shaped and determined by the state of our heart. When our heart is aligned with the will of God, the fruit that comes from our life brings glory to Him. But when our heart follows the desires of the flesh, our decisions will inevitably lead us away from Him. And Scripture clearly reminds us of this battle within us, saying that “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit” (Gal. 5:17).

Context of the passage

This passage comes from the book of Genesis, the beginning of all things, but also the record of the end of something tragic: the end of an eternal relationship between man and his Creator.

Through Adam’s disobedience, sin entered the world. And with sin came moral corruption, the decay of human nature, and the limitation of our earthly life through death. When God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden, human life became limited, fallen from that state of eternity and from that moral perfection that once reflected the very image of God.

The sin of Adam brought deep and far-reaching consequences upon all humanity, touching every part of human nature. His disobedience was a direct rejection of God’s authority, and it resulted in guilt, in moral corruption, and in the penalty of death in three forms: physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death.

Physical death, the separation of the soul from the body, is a direct consequence of sin, even though Christ has borne the ultimate penalty of death for all who believe in Him.
Spiritual death is separation from God, marked by the loss of His presence, His fellowship, and His favor.
Eternal death is the final outcome of spiritual death, an everlasting separation from God, marked by regret, judgment, and condemnation.

Humanity also lost its original righteousness and its holy affections toward God, becoming morally corrupt and naturally inclined toward evil. This universal depravity affects every part of the human person, our mind, our emotions, and our will, leaving mankind completely unable to regenerate himself, to repent on his own, or even to believe apart from the sovereign grace of God.

This verse also describes the moment just before God sent a flood to cover the entire earth, a judgment that swept away all humanity except for the one man who found grace in the eyes of the LORD: Noah. 

Noah was righteous, upright, and he walked with God. He and his family, eight people in total, were preserved from judgment. And with them, all the animals that God brought into the ark, two by two, and all the provisions they would need to survive.

Teaching

First, where do all the thoughts of a human being come from? From the heart. Second, what does this heart naturally, constantly, and exclusively produce? Thoughts that are turned toward evil, thoughts that move in the opposite direction of God. Third, what is the main reason for this outpouring of evil in their thoughts? The separation between God and man.

Yes, everything begins with the heart and the condition it is in. Then come the thoughts, and the actions that follow are directly connected to that condition, a natural sequence, the direct consequence of man’s disobedience toward God. The heart is always tied to the thoughts. In Scripture, most passages that speak about “thoughts” also mention the “heart,” and often in a negative context, as if the heart were the very place where evil works and takes root.

Isaiah 55:7 tells us: « Let the wicked abandon his way, And the unrighteous person his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.»

In the New Covenant

During His earthly ministry, as Jesus traveled from village to village and met all kinds of people, religious leaders, influential men, ordinary crowds, and even His own disciples, He already knew the condition of their heart. He knew their inner disposition, He knew how they would respond, and He knew the outcome of every situation. The thoughts of our heart, whether we are believers or unbelievers, are also fully seen and known by God.

Jesus said to the religious leaders, for example: « For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. » Matthew 15:19 and also : « And Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? » Matthew 9:4

This was like a declaration of divine supremacy over mankind, Jesus, God in the flesh, saw straight into the depths of their heart and knew that they were hypocrites. They pretended to know God with their lips, with outward appearances and religious rituals, but they did not honor the LORD with their heart. Here, Jesus is speaking specifically about the Pharisees and the scribes, but He said the same kind of warnings to His own disciples as well.

For the Church

The corruption of mankind remains with us for as long as we live on this earth. Even though we are forgiven and cleansed from all our sins, past, present, and future, and even though we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation, this fleshly corruption still dwells in our mortal body. The consequences of our actions can still affect our earthly life, but they can never touch or compromise our eternal salvation.

From the heart can also come good and holy thoughts, not from ourselves, but through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. As He renews us, our thoughts become pure and pleasing God. To have a heart after God means that we do not live according to our natural feelings or human impulses, but that we put on the new self, the new man who has been made alive by the Spirit. It means allowing God to transform this corrupt and deceitful heart, especially whenever we are tempted to rely on ourselves.

The Apostle Paul says: « And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.» Romans 12:2

We have passed from one world into another: from an earthly and limited kingdom into a heavenly and eternal Kingdom; from an individual, fleshly will into a spiritual and collective will, the will of God for His people.

This transformation also requires concrete and intentional action on our part, asking ourselves the right questions. God has already given every answer we need, but we must be willing to receive them. We must allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and choose to walk in the will of God, so that His glory may be seen in us.

The solution is simple: the Word of God has been given to renew our mind, to renew our thoughts, and to gradually bring us back into the very character of God, His love, His holiness, and His righteousness. And as this renewal takes place, our actions will become a fruit that is pleasing and acceptable to God.

« For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. » Hebrews 4:12

This Word creates a clear separation between our old nature and the new life God has given us. It breaks through our old habits and patterns, reaching into the deepest parts of our heart. It leads us toward the perfect stature of Christ, shaping both our words and our actions to reflect Him.

Scripture says that the Word “divides of soul and spirit,” which means that it helps us discern what comes from ourselves and what comes from the Spirit. It teaches us to distinguish the flesh from the spiritual, and to recognize the voice of God in the midst of our corrupted and confused thoughts.

It is the Word of God that judges our heart and transforms it, but only if we receive it fully as coming from God, given for the good, the growth, and the holiness of His people.

The Opposite Reality

If, on the other hand, we do not have this desire to see the condition of our heart changed, if we do not have this firm conviction that we truly belong to Christ, then we must ask ourselves a serious question: Have we been born again? Do we truly belong to Christ, the Good Shepherd?

Believing in God does not automatically mean belonging to Him. There is a clear difference between believing about something and actually possessing it, or in this case, belonging to Christ Himself.

The apostle Paul shows us in the book of Acts that there were “believers in God” who had heard about Jesus Christ, yet they had not received the Holy Spirit. In other words, they had not yet been saved from the corruption of sin, nor had they inherited eternal life. Their faith was a belief about God, but not a saving union with Christ.

«Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. » Acts 19:1-7

Salvation

Salvation is obtained only through faith in Jesus Christ, by believing in what He accomplished to reconcile mankind with God. Through this, we are justified before God, and we receive His grace that saves us, so that we may live eternally with Him. And once this grace is received, it is the Holy Spirit who begins to guide and direct our life. Without this new birth by the Spirit, everything is still driven by our own efforts, our own strength, and our fleshly desires. The distance between us and God remains.

Going to church and reading the Word of God is good, it is a good beginning. But truly belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ, being sealed by the Holy Spirit, and becoming part of His Body, that is what eternal life truly is: a life led in truth in all things.

If deep and persistent struggles remain in our life, it may be a sign that Christ does not yet dwell in us, and this must be addressed without delay.

So then, how can we make the right decisions in our life? There is only one way: we must care for our heart through transformation, and walk in the footsteps of Christ as we take up our cross each day. It is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us and who enables us to put on the new self, the new creation that we have become in Christ.

Sanctification means being set apart from the world while still living in it; it means moving toward the holiness of Christ, our supreme example. It is the same path walked by the apostles and the disciples, who lived difficult lives on this earth, yet received a crown of glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us: « Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. »

Conclusion

To conclude, I would like us to read this passage, write by the Apostle Paul, one among many others, because it describes with clarity the attitude we must adopt as disciples of Christ, no matter the circumstances we face. It is through this posture of heart that our life will be transformed, and that we will bear fruit for the honor and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our God.

« Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. » Philippians 4:4-8