September 10, 2025 - Jeremiah 17:9 - "The Deceitfulness of the Heart"

Jeremiah 17:9

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

When we think of wickedness, we often point to the dark deeds of the world—murder, adultery, deception, and corruption. Yet God’s Word declares that wickedness is not first what people do, but who people are. It is the very nature of man’s heart since the fall of Adam: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). By nature, we are “children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:3).

The greatest evidence of this depravity is not only in how man treats man but in how man approaches God. Outward religion abounds—many profess to worship God, many “make a show of religion,” but the Scripture reveals that the natural heart does not know, nor love, the God of the Bible. “There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:10–11). People will gladly embrace a god of their imagination, but when confronted with the God Who is Holy, Just, and Sovereign—Who “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35)—the carnal heart cries, “He is not my God.”

Left to ourselves, we seek our own way. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Some pursue outward morality, some rely on religious duties, some rest in ceremonies and rituals. But the testimony of God’s Word is this: “To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). The heart is deceitful—it may appear good in man’s eyes, but it is separated from God. It may be zealous, but “not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). It may honor Him with the lips, but the heart is far from Him (Matthew 15:8).

Here is the wonder of God's Grace in Christ: though we are dead, though we are deceived. Still, we are lovers of self and haters of God. The LORD Jesus Christ did not come to make salvation possible, nor to wait on the will of man, but to accomplish the redemption of His people. “Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him” (John 17:2). The Son of God laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11)—for those the Father gave Him before the foundation of the world. His blood was not shed in vain; it was poured out for “God’s elect” (Romans 8:33), that their sins might be forgiven, their condemnation removed, and their righteousness obtained upon completion of His death on the cross.

The redeemed sinner's Hope is: “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans 8:33,34).

Do you see yourself in the deceitfulness of the heart? Do you see that left to yourself, you would never seek Him, never love Him, never bow to Him? Then see the glory of Christ’s sovereignty. Salvation is not in you opening your heart, but in God by His Spirit opening it: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). It is not you allowing Christ, but Christ giving you life: “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). It is not you clothing yourself, but God clothing you “with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10), in the precious blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

Our hearts are deceitful, but Christ is Faithful. Our nature is wicked, but Christ is Righteous. Our will is bound, but Christ is Sovereign. And in His Mercy, He casts the sins of His redeemed ones “into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). Look away from yourself to Christ alone. Rest in His sovereign grace.