With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it seems fitting to discuss some matters of the heart. To begin with,

What is the heart?

We tend to see people as having two separate parts, wherein one part is the emotions, which we refer to as the heart, then a brain used for reasoning.

What does the Bible say about the heart?

When both the Old and New Testaments speak of the heart, it never means merely human feelings.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the heart is the center of our being which is composed of character, inner self, will, and intention.

The Holman Bible Dictionary states: The heart is the center of the physical, mental, and spiritual life of humans.

The heart is made up of three parts that work together:

Mental Process: where action and reaction take place.

Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?” Mark 2:8 (emphasis mine) Proverbs 23:7

Emotions: processed as reactions.

“From the ends of the earth,   I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety…” Psalm 61:2

Will: where decisions are made between the rational and the emotive.

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

The human heart, in its natural condition, is evil, treacherous and deceitful.

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,  and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9

In other words, the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden has affected us at the deepest level; our mind, emotions, and desires have been tainted by sin—and we are blind to just how pervasive the problem is.

We may not even understand our own hearts, but God certainly does.

“God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.” Psalm 44:21

According to the scriptures, the heart can be troubled, grieved, wounded, pierced, frightened, faint, wandering, cowardly and even broken. Ah, yes, how well we know that. But thankfully it can also be merry, joyful, steadfast, true, cheerful, and upright as well. The heart can also be divided. “Part of me wants to, but the other part of me doesn’t.”

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Dear reader, our enemy knows the importance of our hearts. That is why it is the object of a fierce spiritual battle.

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37 (Notice that heart comes first.)

Without your heart you cannot have God, you cannot love God, you cannot have faith. Without your heart, you cannot have life itself.

The heart is the core of our being, and the Bible sets high importance on keeping our hearts pure: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

So, how’s your heart today?

Now is a good a time as any to do an honest spiritual heart check. To identify troubled areas, we must ask the Lord to guide us.

Heart conditions to check for:

  • Brokenness
  • Anger
  • Divided
  • Grieved
  • Faint
  • Frightened
  • Wandering

God cares about you deeply and wants to help you with the condition of your heart. Our heart condition affects how we relate to God and can even dull or block the sweet voice of His Holy Spirit. Like a pebble thrown into a pound, the condition of our heart carries into other areas of our lives and relationships, too.

The Lord knows how wayward our hearts can become. King David’s prayer is a great way to allow God to clean our hearts.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear from you or pray for you in the comments below.

Updated from original post in 2/2016.

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