It is true conversion that works from within the heart. “As the leaven, when mingled with the meal, works from within outward, so it is by the renewing of the heart that the grace of God works to transform the life. No mere external change is sufficient to bring us into harmony with God. There are many who try to reform by correcting this or that bad habit, and they hope in this way to become Christians, but they are beginning in the wrong place. Our first work is with the heart. . . .”2

Some are tempted to think that because they know the truth they are already converted. “A profession of faith and the possession of truth in the soul are two different things. The mere knowledge of truth is not enough. We may possess this, but the tenor of our thoughts may not be changed. The heart must be converted and sanctified.”3

In fact, when the heart is not truly converted, God declares; “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” and adds, “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9, 10).

This reminds us of the Pharisees. Jesus made it clear that they knew what was truth, yet they did not live up to it. Christ admonished His disciples in regard to the Pharisees: “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3).

To the Pharisees themselves Christ said: “Woe unto you, . . . Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” (Matthew 23:27, 28).

So, a mere outward appearance may seem to be fine before other people, but it never works before God. It is due to the fact that we are not entirely converted, that we find our Christian life a constant failure. “The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely - because he is required to do so - will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. . . . This will lead us to do right because it is right - because right doing is pleasing to God.”4

Such is the essence of the words of the apostle Paul as he makes the appeal, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

“The great truth of the conversion of the heart by the Holy Spirit is presented in Christ’s words to Nicodemus: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born from above, he can not see the kingdom of God’ (John 3:3).”5

Brethren and sisters, unless we are thoroughly converted, dangerous things can come out from our heart that could affect our life and the life of others.

Upon the shores of Gennesaret, Jesus explained: “Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man” (Matthew 15:10, 11).

This is one of the most wonderful principles of true conversion ever taught upon the earth.

To some today, this truth is as offensive as it was to the Pharisees in Jesus’ time. The disciples came and said to Jesus; “Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying” (verse12)?

Such an attitude reveals two major things. One is that we are dealing with an evil plant, for, as Jesus said, only “a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. . . . So Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:17, 20).

Another problem associated with this is spiritual blindness. Jesus said of the Pharisees that they were “blind leaders of the blind” (Matthew 15:14). They could not see how misleading their actions were. They forgot that “actions speak louder than the most positive profession of godliness.”6 Even to the disciples this truth was brand new. They, desiring an understanding of it, made the request to Jesus: “Declare unto us this parable” (Matthew 15:15; Mark 7:17).

When Jesus explained that “there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him” (Mark 7:15), He was stating a truth that could not pass unnoticed by the disciples. If the believer is born of God, born anew, nothing from outside can defile him or her. The apostle James states, “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:14-16).

It is then that Satan’s temptations are effective upon poor, tempted, deceived souls, bringing forth that which is already within the heart. If the heart were pure, as Jesus stated, nothing could tempt or defile them.

Christ Himself “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrew 4:15).

He could say out of His own experience that “the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me” (John 14:30).

“There was in [Jesus] nothing that responded to Satan’s sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. . . . So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.”7

Thus Jesus’ words are true still today. Whenever we see souls yielding to worldliness and sin, it is a sign of their separation from Christ.

Only pollution can bring forth such a heart. Therefore Jesus said, “The things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart. . . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” “Covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye . . . pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:15; Matthew 15:18, 19; Mark 7:22).

These things are the fruits of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21. “All these evil things come from within, and defile the man,” Jesus concluded. Mark 7:23.

In view of all these facts, we need a daily experience of self-denial as the apostle Paul described, “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

We need to take heed of God’s counsels as He says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. . . . Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:23, 25-27).

“Take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life. . . . Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them” (Deuteronomy 4:9; 11:16).

“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

Let’s remember that “God does not deal with actions so much as with the heart that prompts them. How vitally important it is that all who claim to believe the truth, make the truth fragrant by a life like that of Him who is truth.”8

Thus, “from the depths of sin’s degradation, we may be exalted to become heirs with Christ, the sons of God, and kings and priests unto the Most High. Every repentant, obedient soul may stand as did Adam, free from the condemnation of the law. He may ‘come boldly unto the throne of grace,’ and ‘obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16).”9