From within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Mark 7:21-23

I have a page of the national press before me on which news from all over the world is reported. There are accounts of a kidnapping, two murders, the crimes of a band of smugglers and an attack with poisonous gas by an ominous sect, leaving nineteen dead and four thousand injured. That is not all, but I will go no further. Everything is depressing! Greatly disappointed I put the newspaper aside.

How sad it is that such news is what people want to read! Where does all this evil come from? Is it caused by poor parental upbringing, a hostile attitude to life or authority, or bad examples?

These things may play a part, but the real cause lies deeper, as the Bible says: it is our wicked heart where all the sin dwells. That is responsible for all the terrible acts that happen.That is why the Word of God repeatedly mentions our heart; it uncovers our hidden motives. King Solomon gave us this wise counsel: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). His father, king David, had once prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10).

How can such a renewal take place? By means of religious exercises, measures for self-improvement or other aids? These will never help! Repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are the only way to cleanse the heart of the evil dwelling in it.

Good Seed Calendar, November 12/05