An Evil Heart of Unbelief

The following excerpt is taken from the book Perfect, Yet Pressing by Rev. John Thompson and Rev. E.I.D.Pepper:

"An evil heart of unbelief." Hebrews 3:12.

Notice how the word "heart" occurs in this chapter. "Harden not your hearts;" "They do always err in their heart;" "An evil heart of unbelief."

There are many who think that faith is a purely intellectual process. Pure faith in a pure being, like an angel, must be a purely intellectual process. If men's hearts were right, the errors of their brains would be reduced to a minimum. Take a man who, five minutes before he is entirely sanctified, is full of prejudice and error, but just so soon as the divine glory strikes him, just so soon as his heart is made clean, his brain is made clear!

Some one in the Salvation Army has said, "Clean clear through, and clear clean through." To be clear clean through, you must be clean clear through. The Methodist altar is one of the grandest theological seminaries in the world. Men have gone through colleges, and have all the titles dangling after their names; yet they do not know as much about pure and undefiled religion as some poor, little unknown souls who have had no educational advantages at all. So, if you want to do some right, clear, limpid, Biblical thinking and believing, get your heart right. It is "with the heart man believeth unto salvation."

If we could only see this "evil heart of unbelief;" this heart full of prejudice and blindness; this heart that arrays itself against God; this carnal mind and nature that sets itself against the moral perfection of God himself; this "evil heart of unbelief" that sets itself against truth and right and grace and glory, we would pray, "Lord save us from an evil heart of unbelief!"

John Wesley spoke of Christian Perfection. The term created much debate; however, this was misplaced criticism. By the term "Christian Perfection," Wesley meant loving God with your entire heart, soul, and strength and your neighbor as yourself. Jesus commanded us to do so, yet some believe that they can't accomplish what Jesus has required of them. You can have a perfect heart today, if you are willing to pay the price. What is that price? It is a dying out to your desires and will and submission to His will and desires. When you do that, God will not refuse your offering and a perfect heart of love is to be expected by faith. Today, examine your heart. Is it perfect? If so, rejoice for what God has done! If it is not, ask your self, what are you refusing to give up for the Master?