WHERE SIN IS CONCEIVED
For from within, [that is] out the heart of men, come base and malevolent thoughts and schemes, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, adulteries,..All these evil things [schemes and desires] come from within and defile and dishonor the man.” (Mark 7:21-23, AMP)
It is in man’s heart–his innermost being–where sin is conceived. It was in Satan’s heart that sin originated. His “heart” was lifted up because of his beauty (Ezekiel 28:17). It was in his “heart” that he exalted himself above God (Isaiah 14:13-14). The sin of Ananias and Sapphira originated in their hearts (Acts 5:3).
The Greek word for "heart" is kardia, which includes man’s entire mental and moral activity–the inner man. The heart and mind are linked and are where the emotions, desires, perceptions, thoughts, understanding, reasoning powers, conscience, intentions, will, and imagination reside.
What is in a man’s heart and mind determines what he is. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Jesus told the Pharisees:
Oh generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Matthew 12:34-35)
These verses reveal that man’s heart is where either good or evil resides. Your words and actions are determined by what is in your heart, and your heart is affected by your thought life. If there is hatred, anger, jealousy, and pride in your mind, these negative emotions will affect your heart and be manifested in the words that come out of your mouth and in your actions.
The heart is the center of your existence. It is in your heart that you receive the Word, are convicted by the Holy Spirit, and receive salvation (Romans 10:8-10). It is in the heart– within your innermost being–where you either have faith to believe God’s Word or you harbor doubt and unbelief that will hinder you from claiming God's promises. Jesus said, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen it shall be granted him” (Mark 11:22-23, NAS).
Because the heart and mind are so closely related, we must look at what God’s Word says concerning them in order to have a clear understanding of this major battlefield. The Greek word used to refer to the mind is nous, which is used to describe the mental functions of perception, understanding, knowing, feeling, judging, and determining. The mind is comprised of the will, emotions, thoughts, and imagination that influence the issues of your heart. Are you beginning to see why this is the most important spiritual battlefield?
PRAYER:
My FATHER, My God, this year let my life reflect the blessing of the Lord, I shall not be static, I decree PROGRESS, FAVOR, HONOR, AND INFLUENCE are my portion. My life is SALTED, My speech is SALTED, My Home and Business are SALTED in the name of Jesus.