Topical Bible: Heart: Renewed: Upright

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In the biblical context, the heart is often seen as the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. A renewed heart signifies a transformation that aligns one's inner being with the will and character of God. An upright heart, therefore, is one that reflects integrity, righteousness, and a sincere devotion to God.

Scriptural Foundations

The concept of a renewed and upright heart is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Psalm 51:10, David cries out to God, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" . This plea for a clean heart underscores the need for divine intervention to transform the inner self, making it upright and pleasing to God.

Ezekiel 36:26 further elaborates on this transformation: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" . This promise of a new heart signifies a profound change from a hardened, sinful nature to one that is responsive and obedient to God.

Characteristics of an Upright Heart

An upright heart is characterized by its alignment with God's commandments and its pursuit of righteousness. Proverbs 11:20 states, "The LORD detests those with crooked hearts, but He delights in those with integrity" . This verse highlights the importance of integrity and moral uprightness as qualities that are pleasing to God.

The Beatitudes, as recorded in Matthew 5, also reflect the qualities of an upright heart. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" . Purity of heart is associated with sincerity, honesty, and a single-minded devotion to God, which are essential aspects of an upright heart.

The Role of Faith and Obedience

Faith and obedience play crucial roles in the renewal of the heart. Hebrews 10:22 encourages believers to "draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" . This passage emphasizes the necessity of faith in the process of heart renewal, as well as the cleansing that comes through obedience to God's Word.

Moreover, an upright heart is one that is steadfast in its commitment to God's statutes. Psalm 119:7 declares, "I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous judgments" . This verse illustrates the connection between learning and adhering to God's laws and the cultivation of an upright heart.

The Fruit of a Renewed Heart

A renewed and upright heart bears fruit in the form of righteous living and a life that reflects God's love and truth. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are the natural outgrowth of a heart that has been transformed by the Holy Spirit.

In summary, the biblical concept of a renewed and upright heart involves a transformation that aligns one's inner being with God's will, characterized by integrity, purity, faith, and obedience. This transformation is both a divine gift and a personal responsibility, resulting in a life that bears the fruit of righteousness.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 97:11
Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 125:4
Do good, O LORD, to those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Difference Between the Upright in Heart and the Clean in Heart ...
... A man is upright in heart when he "reaches forward to ... course he departs from it,
and is renewed day by ... them to works of mercy, and "cleanse his heart from all ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/36 the difference between the.htm

The Perfect Heart.
... just look at Psalm 37:37: "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the ...
It must mean, then, a heart renewed by the Holy Ghost, put right with God, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter viii the perfect heart.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... constant care and diligence of such a renewed man to ... 1. Frequent observation of the
frame of the heart. ... to look into their accounts, yet upright hearts will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
... Upright both in heart and will,. ... and all things" in him "are become new." So that
his heart is no longer desperately wicked, but "renewed in righteousness ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 123 the deceitfulness of.htm

The Circumcision of the Heart
... virtues which were also in Christ Jesus; the being so "renewed in the ... works in them
that clear and cheerful confidence that their heart is upright toward God ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 17 the circumcision of.htm

Psalm XXV.
... to forgive all that is past; but the Lord is upright too, who ... work shall possess
the stable inheritance of a renewed body ... The tribulations of my heart have been ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxv.htm

Psalm XI.
... wanings; and if she wanes to the end that she may be renewed, even to ... the obscure
moon," in which sinners have prepared to shoot at the upright in heart? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xi.htm

Psalm CXLVII.
... 5903] for ye are both members of Christ, both made by Him, both renewed by His ... Let
not our heart then, brethren, desire to be set upright, before it be ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlvii.htm

The Time of Doubting and of Spiritual Darkness Constitutes
... It is the sin of upright persons sometimes, to exercise an ... to the Lord; if the language
of your heart is, I ... Is not your repentance and care renewed as often as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/x the time of doubting.htm

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... All the saints are born of God"they are renewed after the ... are just and upright; just
toward man, and upright before God. ... His heart is right"his eye single. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm