Jeremiah 7:24
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
They would not listen, would not heed voice and instruction, would not incline the ear, but walked in the counsels, plans, thoughts and desires of their own evil heart, and went backward away from obedience and the right path rather than forward in faithfulness. That was Israel and Judah repeatedly breaking the covenant by disobeying the command to obey, turning away from God's purpose for them. Their refusal persisted despite repeated warnings through the prophets.
Behind that persistence was Satan continually and actively seeking to deceive them and turn them away from obedience to God and His law. The charge belongs to God's warning that outward worship and confidence in the temple and its services could not replace obedience and right conduct and could not save them. Because of idolatry and refusal to heed warnings judgment was impending, and continued transgression brought doom that only thorough reformation of heart and conduct with repentance could avert.
The same course marks leaders and people entrusted with important responsibilities when they neglect God's principles, rely on their own judgment and wisdom, allow selfishness to shape their work, and refuse divine wisdom and power. It describes those now on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan who, with all advantages and all light and evidences of truth shining upon them as a people, do not purify their souls by living up to them, which makes them like the inhabitants of Sodom and the antediluvian world and lays great guilt on that choice. Their headstrong, independent, wicked life is a wickedness God cannot perpetuate, so in mercy He shows Himself a God of vengeance, strong to punish persistent, independent despisers of His grace, while He also abundantly blesses and is full of compassion, ready to pardon, going forth to meet the returning sinner at every step and ready to heal the bruised and smitten.
When people refuse correction and follow their own hearts they deceive themselves, remain in darkness, and go their own way instead of returning to God. Reproof given to one person is also a warning to others, who must examine themselves, confess their own matching sins, and turn from them rather than assume they are right because they were not singled out.