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What Does the Bible Say About Your Heart? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About Your Heart?

Introduction

The human heart is often associated with love, emotions, and passion. However, in the Bible, the heart is also considered the center of our being, where our thoughts, motives, and desires originate. The Bible has much to say about the heart, and understanding its teachings can help us live a more godly life.

In this post, we will explore what the Bible says about the heart, and how we can apply these teachings in our lives.

heart in the Bible

The Heart is the Center of our Being

The Bible teaches us that the heart is the center of our being. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” The Hebrew word for heart used in this verse is “leb,” which refers to the innermost part of our being, including our thoughts, emotions, and will.

In Matthew 15:19-20, Jesus teaches that evil thoughts and deeds come from the heart: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Therefore, it is crucial to guard our hearts and keep them pure, so that we may avoid sin and live a life pleasing to God.

The heart is the source of our desires, emotions, and intentions. It is where we make our decisions and set our priorities. Therefore, the Bible often refers to the heart when it speaks about our relationship with God.

For example, Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Loving God with our hearts means giving Him the first place in our lives, seeking His will, and obeying His commands.

The Bible also teaches that our hearts can be hardened by sin, rebellion, and unbelief.

Hebrews 3:12-13 says, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

When we sin and refuse to repent, our hearts become calloused and insensitive to God’s voice and leading. Therefore, we must guard our hearts against sin, confess our sins, and turn back to God in repentance and faith.

The Heart Can be Deceitful

Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” This verse warns us that our hearts can deceive us, leading us to justify sinful actions or thoughts.

Therefore, it is essential to seek guidance from God and His Word, so that we may discern the truth and avoid being led astray by our hearts. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

By filling our hearts with the Word of God, we can guard ourselves against deception and live a life pleasing to Him.

The deceitfulness of the heart is evident in the story of King Saul in the Old Testament. Although he started as a humble and obedient servant of God, he gradually allowed his heart to be filled with jealousy, pride, and fear.

Instead of trusting in God’s promises and provisions, he relied on his own wisdom and strength, and eventually lost his kingship and his life. His heart was deceived by his own desires and motives, and he failed to repent and turn back to God.

Therefore, we must examine our hearts daily, confess our sins, and ask God to search our hearts and reveal any hidden motives or attitudes that are not pleasing to Him.

Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” When we humble ourselves before God and submit our hearts to His scrutiny, He can cleanse us, purify us, and transform us into the image of Christ.

The Heart Must be Transformed

In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God promises to give His people a new heart:

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

This passage teaches us that our hearts must be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we may live a life pleasing to God. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

By renewing our minds and transforming our hearts, we can live a life that reflects the character of Christ.

The transformation of the heart is a gradual process that involves surrender, obedience, and faith. When we surrender our hearts to God, He can break down our walls of pride, fear, and self-righteousness, and replace them with His love, joy, and peace.

When we obey God’s Word, He can guide us, correct us, and empower us to live a life that pleases Him. When we have faith in God, He can give us hope, strength, and courage to face the challenges and trials of life.

The transformation of the heart also involves the practice of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship, fellowship, and service. When we pray, we communicate with God and invite His presence and power into our lives.

When we worship, we express our love and adoration for God and acknowledge His sovereignty and goodness. When we fellowship, we connect with other believers and share our joys and burdens with them.

When we serve, we demonstrate our gratitude and obedience to God and use our gifts and talents to bless others.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Bible teaches us that the heart is the center of our being, and it is essential to guard it and keep it pure. Our hearts can deceive us, leading us to justify sinful actions or thoughts, but by seeking guidance from God and His Word, we can discern the truth and avoid being led astray.

Finally, our hearts must be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we may live a life pleasing to God. By understanding and applying these teachings, we can live a life that honors God and reflects the character of Christ.

As we reflect on the teachings of the Bible about the heart, let us pray for God’s guidance and help in guarding our hearts, discerning the truth, and transforming our lives. Let us also encourage one another to seek God with all our hearts, to trust in His promises, and to obey His commands.

May our hearts be filled with His love, joy, and peace, and may we live a life that brings glory to His name.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.