Heart Study – Introduction
The bible has a lot to say about the heart. There are roughly 930 versus that use the word “heart” in 515 different chapters. The word comes from the Greek word “Kardia” which is the root word for the word “heart” and where we get such words as cardiologist and cardiac arrest. It is worthy to note that when the Bible references the heart it is often not referring to the physical heart that circulates blood in our body and sustains life. There are of course many references to the physical heart but most do not. It is instead referring to the center of our soul, the place where we will and desire and our thoughts spring forth. The Biblical heart is the center of who we are and it is the source of what we have become and will become. It is the “seat of”, meaning it is the throne that controls the rest of you both physically and mentally.
Note the English idea of the word heart is different from the biblical definition. The English definition of the heart is one of emotion, especially in contrast to the head where intellect would reside. The heart may lead you astray when your mind would tell you otherwise. It also encompasses your total personality tied with emotion and feeling. In contrast, the Biblical concept of heart includes emotions and feelings but also includes your whole body and being which includes your spirit. In some cases, it combines your unity with the Holy Spirit, a much higher level of definition than the Oxford dictioniary can ever attain.
Psalms and Proverbs are the two books that emphasize the aspects of the heart the most. Psalms was written by David and Proverbs by the son of David. Since David was a “Man after God’s own heart”, it is not surprising to find this discovery. Note that in the Old Testament, the word “soul” is not interchangable with the word “heart”.
Consider these two verses:
Jeremiah 23:20
New International Version (NIV)
20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand it clearly.
We are created in the image of God and here we see that God (the Lord) also has a heart, one that is full of purpose.
Proverbs 4:23
New International Version (NIV)
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
From these verses we can see that the heart is the place of willing and planning and the wellspring of life. Therefore if the heart is so central to who we are then it would make sense to study what the bible has to say about it. If we desire for a close intimate relationship with our father than it also makes sense that we understand where our desires come from so that we can align those desires with God’s. More importantly, it is fundamental to understand that God (1 Chr 28:9) and Jesus (Mt 12:25;22:18) both search our hearts.
To break it down further we should look at what the characteristics of the heart are from a biblical perspective and then look at individual topics. These characteristics are that it is a wellspring also referred to as the direction of the heart, a source, and the seat of many things (such as physical vitality, courage, feelings, desires, and so on). Let’s cover these in more detail.
SOURCE
Often times you might feel cranky, happy, joyful, or sad. But where do they “feelings” come from? How we react to pressures and stimuli around us defines who we are. How we deal with them molds us and is an indicator of how we will react in the future as well. Sin often starts as a small seed in our heart and grows into something bigger. Before we realize it we are often trapped by our own desires. Evil originates in sin and in fact our heart is the source of that evil as the bible notes:
Matthew 15:18
New International Version (NIV)
18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
Mark 7:21
New International Version (NIV)
21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,
The heart is also the source of our faith and in fact the very beginning of our salvation as Romans 10:10 tells us:
Romans 10:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
The heart is also the source commitment (Dt 6:5, Dt 28:9), division (EZ 11:19), and most importantly motivation:
1 Chronicles 28:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.
Psalm 119:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart—
Deuteronomy 6:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength
Proverbs 3:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
Joel 2:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 “Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Here we see that seeking and giving your heart to God is no easy task. it takes persistence, weeping, mourning, trust, strength and other attributes. These scriptures imply that if you are not aggressively struggling to know God then you are not lending your heart to him.
SEAT
The next characteristic of the heart is what it is characterized as the “seat of” or more descriptively, what the heart controls within you. One aspect would be courage as 2 Chronicles 17 states:
Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals 4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 5 The LORD established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. 6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.
The heart is also full of emotion such as empathy, desire, and passion:
Acts 2:26
New International Version (NIV)
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
2 Corinthians 7:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.
Romans 1:24
New International Version (NIV)
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
Romans 10:1
New International Version (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
It is also the center of our thoughts and understanding.
John 12:40
“He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them.”[a]
Acts 8:22
“22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”
Mark 11:23
23 “Truly[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.
Romans 1:21
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Most importantly it is the seat of our will whether that be our will towards God or sin:
Acts 11:23
23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Luke 21:14-15
14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.
note this does not refer to the heart directly but Jesus is instructing his disciples how to think beforehand which means it must originate in the heart first.
Direction
Interestingly enough we think of the heart as rather a static part of our lives which should remain relatively the same. however, the bible dictates that there is a particular process flow. What is allowed to corrupt the heart overflows to the mouth, it hardens, and it is inclined towards evil. It is obvious that the heart is constantly shifting and changing direction.
Overflows to the mouth (Lk 6:45)
Determines our character (Pr 23:7)
Proverbs 23:7
for he is the kind of person
who is always thinking about the cost.[a]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
Hardens (Ez 11:19)
Ephesians 4:18
18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
Inclined towards Evil (Mk 7:21)
Every thought has a motive in the heart
1 Chronicles 28:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
Serving God with a righteous heart
It seems that God doesn’t command our decisions we make in our heart. Instead, the scripture gives us the options but do not command us regarding what should be in our heart or how our heart should function. The scriptures do however command us regarding what to do with our heart (with the exception of Col 3:1). I think the reason being is that the heart cannot change until the diet of the heart changes. Once we are doing the correct things with our heart, it will function and make the right decisions.
Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:29
29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
Now that we know more about the charistics of the heart, what does God command us to do with it? Not surprisingly, there are several scriptures that relate directly to commands regarding our heart:
- Guard it – Pr 4:23
- Love God with it – Dt. 6:5; Mt 22:37
- Use all of it for God – Mt 22:37; Dt 6:5
- Obey with it – Ps 119:2
- Trust with it Pr 3:5
- Seek with it – Jer 29:13
- repent with it – Joel 2:12
- Incline it to fear God – Dt. 5:29
- Set heart on things above Col 3:1
Serving: nuts and bolts
Deuteronomy 6:5
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
The scriptures on Serving God primarily deal with:
- The benefits
- What we should do for a righteous heart
- How a heart functions that serves properly
We will look at each of these in detail
Many times we want to know how to serve God. But we miss it by focusing on our actions rather than our heart. At that point we are back to being under the law with our weak flesh. Obedience comes from our heart.
Ephesians 6:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
How a Heart Functions that Serves God Properly
The path to purity
Most of the emphasis on the heart that serves God deals with purity (Acts 15:9). Purity takes faith, faith in the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. We can purify ourselves in different ways:
- by obeying the truth – 1 Peter 1:22
- hope in being like Jesus when he returns – 1 John 3:3
- doing away with that which contaminates both body and spirit – 2 Cor 7:1
- by confessing our sins – 1 John 1:9
- by walking in the light – 1 John 1:7
- by not harboring evil thoughts (washing evil from our hearts) – Jer 4:14
- by cleansing yourself for noble purposes – 2 Tim 2:21
- by allowing the blood of Jesus to cleanse our conscious from acts that lead to death. – Hebrews 9:14
- by reading the Word – Ephesians 5:26, John 6:63 (Word is spirit+life)
Purity is related to washing and cleansing. Washing is an ongoing experience and purity is to be strived for and achieved at stages but never fully attained (1 John 3:3). We are to have a desire for purity (Psalms 51:2,7). As we do, God promises to come near to us as we come near to him and purify our hearts (James 4:8).
How a Righteous Heart Functions
The righteous heart is a pure heart (Ps. 24:4). It may ascend the hill of God and it’s faith never doubts (Mark 11:23). It is always willing to be searched and tested by God (Ps. 129:23).
The Word of God is not just near to the man with a righteous heart, it is buried deep within him (Ps. 119:11). God’s laws are put on his mind and his heart so they can function together to serve God. His heart is set on God’s laws (Ps. 119:30). He is always feeling the need and want to possess God’s word in his heart (Ps 119:58). He lies to consume and eat every portion he can find. he is committed and directs himself to the Lord ( 1Tim 3:1). He is unchanging and steadfast in his heart (Ps 108:1). The will of God springs forth from his heart (Act 4:32) and in his heart there is unity with no division (Ps. 86:11).
A righteous heart is full of emotions. The righteous heart may feel anguish for others (2 cor. 2:4) and the words within his heart become a burning fire trying to get out (Jer. 20:9). It is also stirred to praise (Ps 45:1) and music comes from the heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19).
The Benefits of a Heart that Serves God
There is an infinite number of benefits from, or for a person that serves God with a righteous heart. This section deals with those that are directly related in the scriptures with the heart.
Most benefits are contingent on what we do. Most scriptures denote that this is for growth. It does not denote, however, that this puts us back under the law. On grasping each principal in our heart, we are then allowed the benefit of our commitment and growth.
there seems to be two types of benefits:
1. Those that benefit us directly
Ps 16:9, 20:4, 37:4, 74:26; 1 Tim 1:5; Ps. 108:1, 112:8
2. Those that benefit our relation with God
Ps 119:11, 119:58, 119:145; Rom. 5:5; Eph 3:17; Jas. 4:8
None of these scriptures are commandments but merely options that God sets before us. The responsibility of choosing these principles remains with us. The law speaks to the flesh for it is powerless to change an uncircumcised heart, but these principles cut deep to any heart that is open to receive them.
Benefits for Man by Serving God with a Righteous Heart
1) Our heart is made glad if we trust in God – Psalms 16:9
Trust in God
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” – Proverbs 3:5
Trust is defined as:
1. A confident reliance on the integrity, honesty, or justice of another; faith
2. A confidence in the reliability of persons or things without careful investigation
3. To believe, to depend upon; confide in
4. To allow to do something without fear of consequences.
He who trust in God does good and enjoys safety (Ps. 37:3). He does not let fear stop him from trusting God (Pr. 29:25). His commitment combined with his trust makes his righteousness shine like the dawn, and justice of his cause like the noonday sun (Ps. 37:5). He cannot be shaken and has an abundance of endurance for life’s challenges (Ps. 125:1). The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds him (Isa. 26:3). He has a steadfast mind which keeps him in perfect peace because he trust in God (Isa. 26:3).
Editorial
When we lean on our own understanding and stop trusting God is when life’s circumstances get out of control. We feel unsafe, unprotected, and without strength to mend our situation. It is easy to feel like we cannot take refuge in our God. Our heart & soul will make us feel like we will be condemned when we go back to God because we have broken our commitment to him. But, the truth is God will not condemn those who take refuge in him. However, we must first trust God and lean not on our own understanding. Growing closer to God is a continual process that has its ups and downs but is your faith that will see you through.
2) God will be your strength when your heart fails
God will be the strength of your heart when your heart and flesh fail (Ps. 73:26). You will not lose heart in ministry and your heart will be steadfast (2 co. 4:1; Ps. 108:1)
3) Desires of your heart given if you delight yourself in the Lord – Ps. 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord
Delighting can be positive or negative (Ps. 62:4). We can delight in sin or we can delight in the law of the Lord (Ps. 1:2). But, love can never delight in evil (1 Cor. 13:6). Love is a positive force in our lives (Ro. 7:22). Delighting, whether it be in God’s law, or salvation comes from our inner being (Ps 36:9) including when there is conflict in our soul over evil or good (Rom. 7:21).
Will make your plans succeed
God will give you the desires of your heart and he will make your plans succeed – Psalms 20:4
4) Love comes from a pure heart – 1 Timothy 1:5
A pure heart is one that is continually being washed and cleansed. You should have a desire for purity. Listed earlier in this study are nine ways to purify ourselves. Love flows inhibited through a pure heart.
5) if you fear God in your heart, you will be secure in your heart and your heart will have no fear. – Psalms 112:8
Fearing God
“What does the Lord ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, to love him, to serve him with all your heart.. “
-Deuteronomy 10:12
To fear God you must be faithful (Jos. 24:14). you must throw away all other gods you worshipped in the past. A god is something you put on a throne in your heart. Something you worshipped and fear losing more than you fear God. God says “Fear the Lord your God” meaning you have to make the Lord your one and only god in order to fear him (Dt. 10:12). You must serve him with all your heart and be reverent to him always (1 Pet. 1:17). He who fears God keeps his commandments because he regards him as holy and dreads his wrath (Ecc. 12:13) (Isa 8:13). There is no paradox in that if we fear God we will have no fear because the positive fear of God cancels our negative fears.
6) God will be the strength of your heart and your portion even when your heart and flesh fail – Ps 73:26
- Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength- Isa. 40:31
- Power in our inner being – Eph 3:16
- Power made perfect in weakness. So that Christ’s power may rest on us – 2 Cor 12:9-10
- The Lord is the strength of his people – Ps. 28:8
- God our refuge and strength – ever present help in trouble – Ps 46:1
- You are my portion Lord, I have promised to obey your words – Ps 119:57
- I cry to you oh Lord “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” – Ps 142:5
- Sets feet upon the rock – Ps 40:2
Flesh (spirit, soul, and body)
There is nothing good in the flesh and our spirit battles with the flesh between good and evil (Rom 7:18). Our flesh also battles with itself. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41) especially when spiritual gain causes physical strain. The mind is a slave to God’s law, and the flesh is a slave to the law of sin (Rom 7:25). If you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if you live according to the Spirit, continually putting to death the misdeeds of the flesh, you will live (Rom 8:13). Flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, sowing destruction. The spirit what is contrary to the flesh sowing life (Gal 5:17, 6:8).
7) Our heart is steadfast – Ps 108:1
When we are steadfast, we hold fast and abstain from the world (Jos 23:8). We let nothing move us (1 Cor 15:58). We can stand firm because Christ has set us free (Gal 5:1). Our fee will closely follow his steps without turning aside (Job 23:11). We will have the strength to stand even if we are unsure if God will save us (Dan 3:18). We can speak God’s word in the face of persecution (Act 4:19-20).
We can endure hardship even when we are hated because of Christ and stand firm to the end (Mt 10:22). Enduring hardship is a discipline that needs to be mastered (Heb 12:7). A man can stand up under the pain of injustice and suffering because he is conscious of God (1 Pet 2:19).
We can remain in Jesus’ love until the end (Jn 15:9). We will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal 6:9). We can run the race with perseverance (Heb 12:1) and we can hold on to what we have knowing that no one can take our crown (Rev 3:11).
Benefits for a Relationship with God by Serving God with a Righteous Heart
1) If you hide God’s word in your heart, then you will not so easily sin against him – Psalms 119:11
Hiding the Word in your heart
The heart overflows to the mouth and determines character (Luke 6:45). Every thought has a motive in the heart (Pr. 23:7). It is not surprising to find that God tells us to fix God’s word in our heart and with a willing mind (1 Ch 28:9, Dt. 11:18). We are to arrange our life so that his Word will be a constant reminder to us. God’s commandments are to be upon our heart (Dt. 6:6) while his Word is to be in our hearts. The Word actually becomes a part of our heart while God’s commands are upon our heart to direct us. We should treasure his word more than our daily bread (Job 23:12). His Word is needed by your heart rather than wanted when you hide it in your heart. It is a joy and a heart’s delight for the man who does so (Jer. 15:16). The Word is a light, it shines in the dark places of our heart. It lights our way and makes things clear (Ps. 119:105,130). It corrects and disciplines that becomes a way of life (Pr. 6:23). It continually purifies us. (Jn. 15:3;Jn. 17:17; Eph. 5:26; 1 Pe. 1:22)
2) God is gracious to a heart that seeks his face – Ps. 119:58
the face of God is radiant. His eyes burn like fire, he appears clean and pure. He appears like Jasper and Carnelian. His head and hair are like wool and white as fresh snow. His throne is flaming with fire. (Rev 1:14, Rev 4:3, Dan 7:9, Ez 1:15-21). His face is pure and clean. If we seek what is pure and clean, we seek his face. (John 5:26, Isa 52:14, Jas 4:8, 1 Pe 4:1)
Jesus said that if you have seen him you have seen the Father. Yet, through our sin, Jesus’ face was difigured for us. In the same way our image has been disfigured by our sin. It then makes sense that our proximity to how near we are to God relies on our purity. We can grow ever closer to God as we purify our hearts (Jas. 4:8). Note that this is a purity that comes from our rest in christ as Hebrews tells us, not from works.
Israel was not ready to purify themselves so they could look upon Moses’ face after he had been with God (Ex 34:30). If you seek his face you must be ready to expose your sin. David had this heart attitude despite his sin. He was willing to lay it bear when confronted.
Solitude is crucial to seeking his face (Mk 1:37). Keep seeking focused on enhancing your relationship. To seek you must receive, then seek again. In doing so, you become radiant as Jesus and as Moses. Seeking God includes finding solutions to circumstances that prevent you from doing so (Luke 19:1-4). If you haven’t had to overcome obstacles to be with God than maybe you are not seeking hard enough (Pr 2:4). A constant forge is needed because seeking can become fleshly while in the midst of holiness (Jn 6:24-26). A heart that truly believes works from faith rather than to achieve the faith it should already possess (Jn 6:28-29). Seeking God comes with a price of service (Jn 12:20-26).
Seeking God can also bring realizations of abondandment. David felt God had hid his face and abondend his people (Ps 44:24). The result is sometimes seeking his face can produce more security in your spirit but less in your heart and mind (in the flesh) because of the misery and oppression from the world.
You cannot seek God with sin in your heart (Isa 1:15). when God’s face is towards you, it gives a hedge of protection against the world (Isa 59:2). When hid, satan attacks (Ez 39:23). We now have unveiled faces and we reflect the Lord’s glory. (2 Cor 3:12-18). We can be continually transformed with ever-increasing glory from the Lord by having a hope that is bold.
There can be monetary blessing for those who seek the Lord. God is with those who seek him instead of the practices of the world (2 Chr 14:7) . As long as you seek him in combination with the fear of the Lord, you can be in a better position for success (2 Chr 17:4). Those who seek His face have the result of clean hands, a pure heart, not lifting up their souls to an idol, or swearing by what is false (Ps 24:3-6).
David sought five things:
1) To dwell in the House of the Lord.
2) To gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
3) To seek him in his temple
4) To sacrifice shouts of joy at His tabernacle
5) to Sing and make music to the Lord at his tabernacle
Seeking God with all our heart and hiding his work in our heart helps us keep from sinning against God or stray from his commands (Ps 119:10-11). Seeking with a contrite, humble, and serious heart when you are in serious need of God whether help or comfort, may include personal sacrifices, time, fasting, prayer and petitioning as Daniel did (Dan 9:3).
3) We are more apt to obey when God answers us because we call on him with all our heart. – Ps. 119:145
Calling on God
God’s calling to us is planned and divine, while our calling on God is emotional, spur of the moment, and very needy (Eph. 4:1, Mt. 15:25). The author of 119:145 is saying he is more willing to obey when he knows God is there for him when he calls (Lk 17:13). Calling on God can be marked by persistence (Gen 18:32, Gen 32:26, Mt 15:27). Tribulations and persecution can bring about a more earnest prayer for help (Lk 22:44, Jas 5:17, Ex 14:10, Ex 2:23).
On several occasions, God did not begin to deliver Israel until they cried to God for help (Jdg 3:9,4:3,6:7). Most likely it is because at the point we cry to Him all pride is gone. God will not work for us, but only through us and he cannot work through us with pride in our hearts (1 Kings 17:20). Calling to God can also be on others behalfs and God will listen (1 Sam 7:9). David called to God from the ends of the earth as his heart grew faint. Calling can be an admission that God is needed in our lives because he is a rock that is higher than us (Ps 61:2). Sincere calling can only be done from a heart that has recently had a revelation of the need for God with humbleness and emptied of pride. A heart in this instance is willing to obey God.
4) Hope in our faith because of God’s love in our hearts – Rom 5:5
God’s love in our hearts
God demonstrated his love for us by allowing Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). God loves with an everlasting love and draws us with loving kindness (Jer 31:3). God gave his Son because he loved the world (John 3:16) and it is this love that God demonstrates to us that he has poured into our hearts. It is this love that Gives us hope in our faith that in turn helps us through persecution. Thus, we can love those who do not love us back or are alien to us (DT 10:19). God’s love in us helps us love our neighbor unselfishly (Mt 22:39). Loving our brother is a command and proof of our discipleship (Jn 13:35). Love must be sincere: hate what is evil and cling to what is good (Jn 15:12). Love for others should not be stagnant, but constantly growing (Rom 12:9). We are to love one another deeply (1 Th 3:12), from the heart after we have purified ourselves by obeying the truth (1 Pet 1:22).
It takes perseverance, character and hope to produce joy from suffering (Rom 5:3-4). These 3 are the foundation of our faith during adversity. God pours into our hearts love that produces this faith. And, since faith expresses itself through love (Gal 5:22), and love is greater than faith and hope (1 Cor 13:13), love binds all these virtues together in perfect unity (Col 3:14).
5) Christ dwells in our heart through faith – Eph 3:17
Faith
Faith comes from hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17). Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb 11:1). Faith is expressed through love (Gal 5:6). If there is no action as a result of your faith in Christ then your faith is dead (Jas 2:17). Nothing is impossible with faith (Mt 17:20). Faith can be reciprocal when a relationship of faith with God has been established (Mt 8:13). Everything that is done in a religious manner that is not done by faith is sin (Acts 27:25, Rom 14:23).
6) God will come near to you when you purify your heart – Jas 4:8
– See “how a heart functions that serves God”
What we should do for a righteous heart
Inwardly
- Only those who keep it pure may ascend the hill of the Lord – Ps 24:4
- Love comes from a pure heart – 1 Tim 1:5, 2 Tim 2:22
- Gaining wisdom in your heart by allowing God to teach you to number your days – Ps. 90:12
Subjects: Purity, Love, Wisdom, Life expectations
Socially
- Unity in body with one heart and mind – Acts 4:32
- Refreshing others hearts through Christ or being refreshed. – Phil 20
Subjects: Being part of the body, refreshing others.
In our relationship with God
Trust God – Ps 16:9
Acceptable meditation Ps 19:14
Rend your heart – Joel 2:13
Have a faith that does not doubt in heart – Mk 11:23
Be circumcised of the heart – Rom 2:29
Have an undivided heart to fear the Lord – Ps 86:11
Don’t cherish sin in your heart Ps 66:18
Have a steadfast heart Ps 108:1
Seek with all your heart – Ps 119:10, 58
Set your heart on God’s law – Ps 119:30
Turn your heart to his statutes – Ps 119:36
Set apart Christ as Lord in your heart
ATTITUDE AND ACTION
Positive Attitude and Action Commands
A) Commands in regard to heart
1 Guard your heart – Proverbs 4:23
2 Love a pure heart – Proverbs 22:11
4 Trust God with all your heart – Proverbs 3:5
Subjects: Guard, pure heart, trust
B) Commands about examining your heart
1 Walk with integrity of heart – 1 Kings 9:4
2 Decide what to give so as to be cheerful – 2 Cor 9:7
3 Heart should not rejoice when enemy falls – Proverbs 24:17
4 Do not lose hope in heart Jeremiah 51:46 (Heb 11)
5 Heart is the source of motivation – Ps 119:2
6 Every thought has a motive in the heart 1 Chr 28:9
Subjects: Integrity, cheerful, hope, motives, motivation
C) Commands in regard to others
1 Brother must be forgiven from the heart – Matthew 18:35
2 Set heart on being elder – 1 Timothy
3 Give to poor without a grudging heart – Dt. 15:10
4 Obey employer with sincerity of heart – Col 3:22
Subjects: Forgiveness, grudging, sincerity
Negative Actions of the heart
A) Reflective
fool says there is no God Psalms 14:1
B) direct command
Do not be hasty in your heart – Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not doubt in heart because it destroys your faith – Mark 11:23
Banish anxiety from your heart – Ecclesiastes 11:10
3) Social
Adultery starts in the heart – Matt. 5:28
Evil men wound heart – Psalms 109:22
Subjects: Fool, hasty, adultery, evil men
Negative Attitudes of the Heart
A) Reflective
Sin is cherished in the heart and God does not listen – Ps 66:18
Doubting in heart destroys faith Mark 11:23
Darkness hardens heart – Eph 4:18
Heart is the source of motivation – Ps 119:2
Every thought has a motive in the heart 1 Chr 28:9
B) Result from
Out of heart comes evil: thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, etc. – Mk 7:21
Overflows from heart to mouth – Luke 6:45
Sin is engraved on heart and horns of alter
C) Social
Harden heart is a source of division – Isaiah 6:10/Ez. 11:19
Heart of stingy man is not with you – Proverbs 23:7
Subjects: Stingy man, fool, sin cherished, hasty, adultery, evil men, harden, division, doubting, overflow, darkness, motivation, engraved, motive, horns of alter
Benefits of a Good Attitude in the Heart
A) Results of a positive attitude in the heart
1 When heart is at peace, it gives life to the body – Prov 14:30
2 When Heart is happy, it makes the face cheerful – Prov 15:13
3 Those with a cheerful heart have a continual feast – Prov 15:13
4 A cheerful heart is a good medicine – Prov 17:22
5 Mary treasured these things in her heart – Luke 2:51
6 Social encouragement with unity comes from heart – Col 2:2
7 Joy is shed on the upright in heart – Psalms 97:11
8 Social unity is from heart – Ne. 4:6
Subjects: Peace, happy, cheerful, treasure, encouragement, upright, unity
Statements:
Moral justification made in heart – Luke 16:15
Wrod judges thoughts and attitude of heart Heb 4:12
Overflows to the mouth Luke 6:45 *
Sourcoe of motiviation *
Search me to know my heart, test and know my thoughts Psalms 139:23
Treasure is in heart Matt 6:21
Emotions – cut to the heart Acts 2:37
Love comes from a pure heart 1 Timothy 1:5
Thoughts and attitude of heart Hebrews 4:12
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Circumcision and the Heart
Circumcision was an outward sign of belonging to the covenant. It showed that Israelite’s believed and that the God of Abraham was their God and their commitment. If one was not circumcised they were cut off. In the New Testament, we are circumcised in the heart. Our heart is now the sign that we are believers and that God is our Lord. This new circumcision allows our heart to respond and act to the Law out of will, thus restoring power back to the Law that it lost before the blood covenant. No longer need the flesh be force by the outside. But now, it will yield from the power within (2 Corinthians 3:3). The Word meditating inside ouf us cause changes in attitude and attitudes will conquer the flesh. 1 Pet 2:11 says sinful desires war against the soul. If you arm yourself with the correct attitude, you will suffer in the body and you will be “done with sin” as it says in 1 Peter 4:1. This attitude is the same Jesus had about suffering in his body. This could be the biggest weapon Jesus used against temptation. he never sinned because he was done with it.