When Your Heart Has a Dark Agenda - Connect Group Discussion Guide

Scripture

Proverbs 6:16-18
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil…”

Additional Scripture References

Jeremiah 17:9
Luke 6:45
Psalm 51:10
Ezekiel 36:26
Matthew 15:19
Proverbs 4:23

Main Idea

Sin doesn’t begin with our hands. It begins within our hearts. The Bible says God hates “a heart that devises wicked schemes” because that’s where deception, bitterness, and pride take root. The truth is, what lives in your heart will eventually show up in almost all areas of your life; in your words, and in your actions. Here's the problem: our hearts are naturally deceptive. The good news? God can give us a new heart!

The Heart is Naturally Deceptive

Scripture

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Overview

The world is constantly telling us this: “Follow your heart.” It's funny because it sounds "wise", this advice sounds as if it's out of some ancient proverb. But in reality, God’s Word tells us the exact opposite. Our hearts are not reliable, they’re broken. They whisper (not scream) lies and convince us that our sin is harmless. That’s why God warns us not to trust our feelings but to let His truth lead us.

THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEART WILL ALWAYS DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR LIFE.

Deeper Dive

If we look at the word “deceitful” in Jeremiah 17:9, this gives the picture of something slippery or crooked; something you can’t and should not depend on. Think about David and Bathsheba. His downfall didn’t start with the act of adultery. It started way before that. It started when his heart lingered on temptation. His heart lingered and schemed before his hands acted. That’s how sin works. It starts quietly, in our motives and desires and over time, what’s hidden in the heart always finds a way out. That’s why Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts; because everything we do flows from there.

Question

Why do you think it feels easier to trust our feelings instead of God’s Word? What are practical ways we can you guard your heart in daily life?

The Heart Shapes Our Actions

Scripture

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45

Overview

Whatever you carry in your heart will eventually spill into your life. Anger turns into sharp words. Jealousy shows up in how we treat people. But a heart filled with the word of God brings life, peace, joy and love.

BEHAVIOR IS THE SYMPTOM.
THE HEART IS THE SOURCE.

Deeper Dive

Think of your heart like soil. Whatever you plant: resentment, pride, or God’s Word, will grow. Do not get frustrated at God when your life produces rotten fruit, however, you weren't planning the right things.

Galatians calls it the “fruit of the Spirit.” Jesus also said a tree is known by its fruit. Good soil produces good fruit. Bad soil produces bad fruit. When you think about it... it's really not that complicated.

Or think of a sponge. It looks fine on the outside, but when you squeeze it, whatever is inside comes pouring out. Life’s pressure do the exact same thing. It does not create what's in our heart, it reveals what’s really in our hearts.That’s why God doesn’t just want to change how we act. He wants to change who we are from the inside out. God is far more interested in "heart transformation" than your "behavior modification"

Question

What’s one “seed” you’ve noticed in your heart, whether good or bad, that’s been showing up in your words or actions?

The Heart Can Be Transformed By God

Scripture

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Overview

You are not your cure. We can’t fix our hearts by ourselves. Sin runs too deep. The powers of hell are too strong. But the good news is this: God can. He doesn’t just clean up the old heart, He gives us a brand new one.

GOD DOESN’T PATCH UP THE OLD HEART.
HE GIVES YOU A NEW ONE.

Deeper Dive

Jeremiah described the heart as “beyond cure.” In other words, sin is like a spiritual disease no human can’t heal. But Ezekiel 36:26 brings hope: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.” That’s God’s promise.
David understood this when he prayed for a clean heart after he sinned. He knew his own willpower wasn’t enough. He needed God to do a deep transformative work inside him. That’s what salvation is: God replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Transformation doesn’t start with self-help. It starts with surrender.

Question

What’s one area of your heart you need to surrender to God so He can transform it?

Summary

Everything flows from the heart. If left unguarded, it deceives. If filled with sin, it shapes destruction. But if surrendered to God, it becomes new. Sin may start in the heart, but so does transformation.

Call to Action

This week, don’t just focus on fixing your actions. Instead, ask God to search your heart. Invite Him to expose what’s hidden, cleanse what’s dark, and fill you with His truth.