When we desire to be changed into a new creation by Christ He gives us what we want. He changes us, He creates in us new desires, new hopes and new attitudes that we did not have before.
He did in us what we could not to for ourselves. Hard as many try to be good they cannot think as they should because their mind has not been changed into a new creation.
All the intents of the heart cannot become Christlike without Christ dwelling in us. The unregenerate person attempting to be good by observing the Law will only frustrate their inner heart.
It is the heart that must be changed not just outward actions. This is why God told us not to look at outward appearances, many people can act fine on the outside for a time but if their heart is not changed the actions are lies and are not able to be maintained.
One who is pretending on the outside will eventually return to sinfulness because they must always revert to what has really been in their heart all along.
The way we think is determined by our inner character. We can hide and pretend what is in our heart but eventually our real self is going to leak out through our mouth, our actions and our attitudes. And yes, attitudes can be seen even when not acted upon.
Matthew 15:17-19 "…17 “Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.…"
The heart is first then the speech and actions. The actions on the outside do not change the character and condition of the heart.
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