You've likely heard the phrase, "The heart is wicked and cannot be trusted," often quoted from Jeremiah 17:9:

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

This verse has been used in Christian circles to discourage trusting one's feelings or desires. While there is truth to being cautious about the heart's tendencies when disconnected from God, this phrase can unintentionally lead to shame, fear, and distrust of how God designed us.

Let’s unpack why this phrase doesn’t serve Christians today—and what the Bible truly says about the heart of a believer.

Context Matters: Jeremiah 17:9 in Its Place

Jeremiah 17:9 is written to a rebellious and idolatrous nation that had turned away from God. The prophet Jeremiah was warning Israel of their hard-heartedness and their tendency to seek after idols.

But this was before Jesus came. This verse describes a pre-redemption reality. As Christians, we are no longer living in the condition Jeremiah described. Christ's work on the cross changed everything about our relationship with God—including the state of our hearts.

What God Did for Your Heart

When you put your faith in Jesus, you were made new. Scripture affirms this again and again:

Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.”

2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Through salvation, God didn’t just forgive you—He transformed your heart to align with His.

What About "The Flesh"?

Some might say, "But we still have sinful desires!" And yes, as believers, we live in tension between the Spirit and the flesh (Galatians 5:17). But this doesn’t mean your heart is wicked. The flesh represents old patterns of thinking and behaving that no longer define who you are in Christ.

Your true identity is rooted in your new, Spirit-filled heart. It is not deceitful; it is alive and responsive to God.

The Problem With Distrusting Your Heart

When Christians repeatedly hear, "The heart is wicked," it can lead to:

1. Fear of Acting: You may hesitate to follow God-given dreams or desires, second-guessing every decision.

2. Shame and Distrust: You may feel unworthy of God's love, questioning whether you can ever truly please Him.

3. Disconnection: You may stop listening to the Holy Spirit, who often speaks through the heart.

But God didn’t design you to live in fear or self-doubt. He calls you to walk confidently as His child, guided by His Spirit and truth.

Embracing Your New Heart

The Bible teaches us to steward our hearts, not to fear them. Here’s how:

1. Align Your Heart with Scripture: Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet. Let Scripture shape your desires.

2. Listen for the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Trust that God is speaking to you.

3. Discern with Wisdom: Proverbs 4:23 encourages us to guard our hearts because they are the wellspring of life. Guarding doesn’t mean distrusting—it means being intentional about what influences us.

A Better Truth to Speak

Instead of repeating, "The heart is wicked and cannot be trusted," we can declare the truth of who we are in Christ:

"My heart has been made new, and God is working in me to will and act according to His purpose." (Philippians 2:13)

"I can trust my heart when it’s aligned with God’s Word and Spirit."

"My desires, purified by God, can lead me into His perfect will."

Final Encouragement

As a believer, you are no longer defined by the old. You’ve been redeemed, and your heart is now a beautiful reflection of God’s work in you. Trust Him to lead you, not through fear and shame, but through the Spirit that gives life and peace.

Your new heart isn’t the problem; it’s part of God’s solution.

Jesus said "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God" (Matt 5:8). Believers can rejoice that their hearts are no longer deceitful or wicked but are transformed, pure, and capable of seeing and knowing God deeply.

Walk boldly, knowing that your new heart is no longer deceitful—it is alive in Christ.