Jesus taught the multitudes that it is possible to sin in their heart and mind even before
the sin is manifested outwardly. He said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on
a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart"
(Matthew 5:28).
It is in man’s heart–his innermost being–where sin is conceived. It was in Satan’s heart
that sin originated. His heart was lifted up because of his beauty:
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom
by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before
kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:17).
It was in his heart that Satan exalted himself above God:
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne
above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the
sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the
most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14).
In the New Testament, a man named Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, lied about the sale
of their land and kept back part of the money for themselves:
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And
kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain
part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 5:1-2)
Peter asked, “…why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep
back part of the price of the land?” (Acts 5:3).
The money was theirs to keep if they desired. The problem was that they had allowed
Satan to fill their minds and hearts with deception which was manifested by lies. The
Greek word for heart is kardia which includes man’s entire mental and moral activity, the
inner man. Peter was asking Ananias,
“Why have you allowed Satan to so fill your
innermost being, your heart, mind, your thoughts that you lied to the Holy Spirit?"
The thoughts Ananias and Sapphira allowed Satan to plant in their hearts took root, sin was
conceived in their hearts, and sin was manifested through lying about how much money
they received and were giving.
What is in your heart determines who you are, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is
he…” (Proverbs 23:7). How is your thinking today? Do you have some thoughts that
need to eliminated by the power of the Holy Spirit?