The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things | Meaning & Verse

We often say that "the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked," but do we ever consider what that really means? 

There is a popular motivation to "follow your heart," but if the heart is desperately wicked, wouldn't it be wrong to follow it? 

Let us take a moment to think about this heart, and I am sure we all know we are not talking about the organ pumping blood around the body. In this message, we will look at the spiritual heart, its deceitfulness, and what this statement truly means for us.

The Meaning of "The Heart Is Deceitful"

"The heart is deceitful above all things" is a scriptural statement found in Jeremiah 17:9. While many quote it like a proverb, it carries deep spiritual weight. Take a look at the scriptures:

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
Jeremiah 17:9 WEB: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?”

This verse stirs up curiosity regarding what the writer was communicating. The very next verse provides the context:

Jeremiah 17:10 AMP: “I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

Now we see the Lord, the mind, the heart, and the fruit of our doings. But before this warning, the scripture offers a contrast:

Jeremiah 17:7–8 AMP: “[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river...”

This promises to be an insightful adventure. Let's dig deeper.

What Does "Desperately Wicked" Mean?

In this context, "the heart" refers to the inner man, often synonymous with the mind or the seat of our emotions and decision-making. The Hebrew word used here is hā-lêḇ (הַלֵּב).

A careful examination of the verse presents a comparison. It describes the heart as "deceitful above all things."

1. Deceitful (‘āqōḇ)

The word translated as "deceitful" is ‘āqōḇ in Hebrew. It comes from a root meaning "to track by the heel" or "to supplant" (the same root as the name Jacob). It appears in Isaiah 40:4 describing "rough" or "uneven" ground. It implies something crooked, uneven, or tricky.

Therefore, to "follow your heart" is to follow something inherently uneven and likely to trip you up.

2. Desperately Wicked (wə-’ā-nuš)

The phrase "desperately wicked" comes from the Hebrew term wə-’ā-nuš. Other translations render this as "incurable," "sick," or "woeful." It suggests a condition that is frail, mortal, or beyond human cure.

In simple terms, trusting the unregenerate mind above all else is dangerous. This contradicts the popular mantra to "follow your heart," which can be an ignorant statement considering the question that follows: "Who can know it?"

Since following the heart can lead to ruin, what are we supposed to do? Before we answer that, let us see why following the heart is so dangerous.

Why Following the Heart Is Dangerous

According to Jeremiah 17:10, God searches the mind and tries the heart. Biblical history shows us why this scrutiny is necessary. Looking back to Genesis:

Genesis 6:5 AMP: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually.”

Wickedness was great because the heart of man (the embodiment of human imagination and intent) was full of evil. The Preacher confirmed this in Ecclesiastes:

“...the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live...” — Ecclesiastes 9:3 (WEB)

Jesus also described the things that defile a man as those which proceed from the heart:

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts (reasonings and disputings and designs) such as murder, adultery, sexual vice, theft, false witnessing, slander, and irreverent speech.” — Matthew 15:19 (AMP)

Here are three reasons why following the heart is dangerous:

• It produces evil desires: As Jesus listed, the root of sin lies within our internal logic and emotions.
• It leads to disobedience: Following our own desires often means rejecting God's instruction.
• It leads to death: As James 1:15 says, when evil desire is fully matured, it brings forth death.

For those who follow their heart above all things, the end is destruction. So, what is the alternative?

What Are We Supposed To Do?

Instead of following the heart, the scriptures instruct us to guard it.

Proverbs 4:23,27 NLT:

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do... Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe.”

Here are three practical steps:

• Pay attention to the Word of God rather than your own fleeting desires.
• Avoid corrupt communication (perverse talk).
• Live by faith and obedience, putting trust in God rather than in your own understanding.

While we all comprehend the statement, "The heart is deceitful above all things," let me conclude by reminding us of the promise for those who choose differently:

Jeremiah 17:7 WEB: “Blessed is the man who trusts in Yahweh, and whose trust Yahweh is.”

Frequently Asked Questions  What is the meaning of Jeremiah 17:9? Jeremiah 17:9 means that the human heart (mind and emotions) is inherently flawed and prone to self-deception due to sin. It warns believers that their inner feelings can be misleading and that only God truly understands human motives. Is it wrong to "follow your heart"? Biblically, yes, it can be dangerous to follow your heart without consulting God. Since the heart is described as "deceitful" and "desperately wicked," following it can lead to bad decisions. Proverbs 28:26 adds, "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool." What is the Hebrew word for "desperately wicked"? The Hebrew word used in Jeremiah 17:9 is wə-’ā-nuš (or anash), which translates to "incurable," "sick," or "frail." This implies that the human heart cannot fix itself and requires divine intervention. How can I guard my heart according to the Bible? You can guard your heart by paying attention to God's Word, avoiding corrupt speech, and fixing your eyes on what is right (Proverbs 4:20–27). This involves filtering what you watch, hear, and think about.