For from within, out of a person’s heart, come forth wicked thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
The Biblical representation of the heart is nuanced. If we look at isolated verses, it is easy to see emotions and pleasure as paths to hell. That world view drives us toward asceticism, a path few can follow. I personally believe asceticism leads to indulgence and turns the simplest delights into forbidden fruits. If we take Messiah seriously here, we can approach our hearts a different way, that will lead to life and abundance. If the formula: junk in, junk out holds true, we must fill our hearts with purity so that it produces purity.
