Jesus said, “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, NIV). It is with the heart that we can either receive or reject love.
So how important it is to guard our hearts! One moment we can be honestly seeking the best interest of others. The next minute we can be lying to ourselves and deceiving others. We cannot know our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). But we can guard them! Are we expressing the defensive and selfish nature of the old corrupt man, or the nature of the new man, the nature of the incorruptible Christ? You will know the root by the fruit (Matthew 7:16, 20). The root of the new nature is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)