According to the Bible, a person’s “heart” serves as both the center of their existence and a gauge of their spiritual state. We should never limit the meaning of the word “heart” to the muscle that pumps blood between our lungs. Instead, “heart” is most frequently used in Scripture to refer to human tendencies and free will when making decisions. Man’s heart is composed of both emotional and rational desire.
What Scripture says about the heart of man
A cursory examination of the Bible reveals that God actually considers a person’s obedience to, receptivity to, and [love for] God in their heart (1 Samuel 16:7). According to Acts 15:8, God is aware of every thought that a person has and will reveal them all. How wonderful it is to know that we may create melody in our hearts (Colossians 3:16)! How many times do we see the expression “with all your heart” (found in Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37) in the Old Testament, referring to a whole commitment to God? According to what Jesus teaches His disciples in Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 15:19, evil things do not enter a man; rather, they originate in his heart.
The fall of the heart
Man has a sinful inclination in his heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9) as a result of the fall. A person’s heart decides whether they will follow God or reject God (see Joshua’s instruction to the Israelites in Joshua 24:23 and Moses’ meeting with Pharaoh in Exodus 4–14). According to Ezekiel 36:26, the heart can be as hard as stone or as delicate and sensitive to God’s love, guidance, and warnings. God, by His Spirit, is able to create in us a “pure heart” (Psalm 51:9–10) that is cleansed. The most significant moment in a person’s life ultimately happens in their heart when they accept that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:8–9).
Body and soul
Man is described in scripture as having both a body and a soul. The human body is an organic, material, and physical creation. The mind, heart, spirit, and will (these phrases are frequently used interchangeably) make up the soul. The element of the human construct that is immaterial and most representative of our divinely appointed role as bearers of God’s image is the soul. Therefore, it is accurate to say—and we quote 1 Samuel 16:7—that God does not evaluate us according to our appearance, power, or ability. Instead, he looks, understands, and transforms the heart.
Trust in the Lord
“Lean not on your own understanding, but put all of your trust in the Lord. Praise Him in all your deeds, and He will straighten your paths (Proverbs 3:5–6). “Know my heart, O God, and search me! Try me and find out what I think! And examine me to see if I have any bad habits, and guide me along the path of eternal life (Psalm 139:23–24).
