Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” ( Prov. 4:23).
The word “heart” (kardia/Gr. & labe/Heb.) comes to us from the root word meaning to “quiver or palpitate.” The heart is the corporal organ of the body which circulates the blood (2 Sam. 18:14; 2 Kgs. 9:24); thus, participating in all the functions and activities of the body, it is the most important organ in the human system. Therefore, it has been an easy transition, for the inspired writers of Scripture, to make the word heart stand for the seat or man’s physical life—the outer man (Jud. 19:5, 8; Ps. 104:15; Lk. 21:34; Acts 14:17; Jas. 5:5), and for the seat of man’s personal life—the inner man (Mt. 5:8; Lk. 16:15; Col. 3:22-23; 1 Pet. 3:4).
A closer look at the ascribed Biblical functions of the heart, as they relate to man’s personal life, will reveal the heart to be the mind. An even closer look will reveal the heart (mind) to be the residence of the soul’s essence.
- Self-consciousness or life: cf., 2 Corinthians 2:1-5 with Genesis 2:7, 35:18, 1 Kings 17:21, Matthew 10:39, and Acts 20:10
- Mentally or thinking: Job 12:3, Mark 2:6-8, Luke 2:19, 35, 3:15, 5:22, and 24:38
- Volition or free will: Romans 2:5, 6:17, 1 Corinthians 7:37, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Colossians 3:22-23, and 2 Peter 2:14
- Emotion or appreciation: Numbers 32:7, Deuteronomy 6:5, Psalm 34:18, 16:9, Luke 24:38, John 14:1, 27, 16:6, 22, Acts 2:26, Romans 9:2, 2 Corinthians 2:4, and Ephesians 5:19
- Conscience or norms and standards: Job 27:6, Acts 7:54, Romans 2:15, and 1 John 3:20
- Old Sinful Nature: Psalms 58:2-5, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 15:19, and Mark 7:21-23
The heart is dominated by the Old Sin Nature (Mt. 15:8, 18-19; Mk. 7:21-23).
- As such, it is called an “uncircumcised heart”: Leviticus 26:41, Ezekiel 44:7, 9, and Acts 7:51
- As such, it is called a “corrupt tree”: Matthew 7:17, 12:33, Luke 6:43-45, cf., Ephesians 4:22-23
- As such, it is called a “foolish heart”:
Romans 1:21, 24, 28-31 - As such, it is called “a blinded heart”: Ephesians 4:17-19
- As such, it is called a “resisting heart”: Acts 7:51
The heart dominated by the Old Sin Nature, left without a remedy, will become a “hardened heart”: Matthew 13:15, John 12:39-40, Acts 28:27, Hebrews 3:12-13.
- God searches hearts: 1 Chronicles 28:9, and Jeremiah 17:10
- God tries hearts: 1 Chronicles 29:17, and Jeremiah 12:23
- God knows hearts: Psalm 44:21, Jeremiah 20:12, and Acts 15:8
- God opens hearts: Acts 16:14, cf., 1 Corinthians 2:7-13
- God enlightens hearts: 2 Corinthians 4:6, and Ephesians 1:18
- God strengthens hearts: Psalm 27:14
- God establishes hearts: 1 Thessalonians 3:13, and Hebrews 13:9
The heart is, thus, dominated by God through salvation, filling of the Holy Spirit and Bible doctrine:
- As such, it is called a “circumcised heart”: Deuteronomy 30:6, Romans 2:29, Philippians 3:3, and Colossians 2:11
- As such, it is called a “good tree”: Matthew 7:17, 12:33-35, and Luke 6:43-44
- As such, it is called a “wise heart”: Exodus 35:25-26, Proverbs 10:8 and 11:29
- As such, it is called a “pure heart” – (Purified by faith and Bible Doctrine): Acts 15:9, 1 Timothy 1:5, 2 Timothy 2:22, Hebrews 10:22, and 1 Peter 1:22
Therefore, the heart can be:
- Trusting: Proverbs 3:5
- Comforted: 2 Thessalonians 2:17
- Directed: Proverbs 23:19, Galatians 4:6, and 2 Thessalonians 3:5
- Joyful: Psalm 16:9, and Zechariah 7:10
- Loving: Matthew 22:37, 2 Corinthians 7:3, Philippians 1:7, and 2 Thessalonians 3:5
- Peaceful: Philippians 4:7
- Good: Luke 8:15
- Obedient: Psalm 119:12, Romans 6:17, and Ephesians 6:6
- Patient: Luke 8:15
- Meek: Psalm 34:18, and 51:7
- Tender: Ephesians 3:22
- Faithful: Ephesians 6:5, and Colossians 3:22
The heart may be “deceived” depending on what information is fed into it (Deut. 11:16; Romans 16:18).
The heart apparently is the home of the human spirit (1 Pet. 3:4).
The heart is “closely” associated with the soul and mind, yet, distinct and separate (Deut. 6:5; Mt. 12:30, 33; 22:37; Lk. 10:27; Acts 4:32; Phil. 4:7; Heb. 8:10).