JEREMIAH 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.
JEREMIAH 12:10
My heritage is to Me like a speckled vulture;
The heart is deceitful and cunning. It is beyond our human comprehension. Which is why we need Divine intervention for its treatment. Here the picture in the Word shows how impossible it is to change our human nature. Like the spots of a leopard, the speckled spots of a vulture or the color of one's skin the human heart is corrupt from birth.
Consider the following verses:
PSALM 51
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
We confirm this truth by our evil stubbornness and inclination to follow the dictates of our own hearts Instead of following the Holy Spirit
JEREMIAH 13: 10
This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them .
However by permitting the Holy Spirit ( given by our Lord Jesus Christ to all who believe on Him) free rein over our hearts and minds, we begin the initial steps in our transformation to the Image of the Almighty.
Its the Blood of Jesus Christ that washes our spotted deceitful hearts and grants us the Heart of Jesus complete with His Righteousness, His Attributes. And the greater time we spend renewing our minds in His Word and Presence, we become LIKE HIM ! Amen
JESUS is therefore the ONLY cleanser of the SOUL ! And let's guard that Holiness forever by His Spirit.