Graham: Jesus said the basic problem is in our hearts

The Deeper Problem

For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts,

sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice,

deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

MARK 7:21–22

Few words of Jesus were more blunt—and few were less likely to win Him the affection and praise of those who opposed him. They saw themselves as holy and pure, but Jesus cut through their veneer of “righteousness” to reveal the inner pride and evil that actually motivated them—and not only them, but every human being.

Why, over twenty centuries later, is our world still filled with conflict and war, turmoil and insecurity? Jesus said the basic problem is in our hearts—and the reason is because we are alienated from our Creator. Instead of giving God His rightful place at the center of our lives, we have substituted the “god” of Self. Only Christ can change our hearts—and through us begin to change our world.

Does this mean we can never make any progress against the massive problems that assail us—poverty, war, injustice, famine, sickness, disease? No, of course not; God wants us to fight evil wherever it is found. But our greatest need is for repentance and spiritual renewal.

Pray that this may happen—beginning with you.

Billy Graham, Wisdom for Each Day (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008).

Comments

John Stott on the "old man" and the "body ruled by sin" in Rom 6 v 6

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