Topical Bible: The Heart: Issues of Life are out of

◄ The Heart: Issues of Life are out of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The heart, in biblical terms, is often understood as the center of human emotion, thought, and will. It is a central theme throughout Scripture, representing the innermost part of a person, where decisions are made and desires are formed. The heart is not merely a physical organ but a metaphor for the spiritual and moral center of a person.

Biblical References

Proverbs 4:23 states, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the importance of the heart as the source of life's issues, emphasizing the need for vigilance in protecting and nurturing it. The heart is portrayed as the wellspring from which all actions and thoughts originate, highlighting its critical role in shaping one's life and character.

The Heart's Condition

The Bible frequently addresses the condition of the heart, recognizing its potential for both good and evil. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This passage reveals the inherent sinfulness and complexity of the human heart, suggesting that it is prone to deception and moral failure without divine intervention.

Conversely, a heart aligned with God's will is depicted as pure and righteous. Psalm 51:10 expresses a plea for divine transformation: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This verse reflects the desire for a heart that is cleansed and renewed by God's grace, capable of producing righteous actions and thoughts.

The Heart and God's Commandments

The heart's alignment with God's commandments is a recurring theme in Scripture. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment emphasizes the heart's role in fostering a deep, abiding love for God, which is foundational to a life of obedience and devotion.

Jesus reiterates this commandment in the New Testament, highlighting the heart's centrality in the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37 , Jesus responds, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’" This reinforces the idea that the heart is integral to one's relationship with God, serving as the seat of love and commitment.

The Heart and Faith

Faith is also deeply connected to the heart. Romans 10:10 states, "For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved." This passage illustrates the heart's role in the process of salvation, where belief and faith originate, leading to justification and confession.

The Heart's Transformation

The transformation of the heart is a key aspect of the Christian faith. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "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 prophetic promise points to the transformative work of God in renewing the heart, enabling it to respond to His will and purposes.

Conclusion

The heart, as depicted in the Bible, is the core of human existence, influencing thoughts, actions, and spiritual life. It is both the source of life's issues and the object of divine transformation, underscoring its significance in the biblical narrative. Through vigilance, alignment with God's commandments, and divine renewal, the heart can become a wellspring of life and righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Introduction
... The motive to this duty is very forcible and weighty: "For out of the heart are
the issues of life." That is, the heart is the source of all vital operations ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/introduction.htm

Life Hid and not Hid
... out of it are the issues of life,' all the outgoings of activity of every kind,
both that which we ascribe to the head, and that which we ascribe to the heart. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/life hid and not hid.htm

A New Heart.
... men found out this charm which takes the heart captive and ... live in if they are to
lead us to practical issues. ... we look out upon the world and its life we feel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xvii a new heart.htm

How to Keep the Heart
... This morning, my text was, "Keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are
the issues of life." Now, this evening we have the promise upon which we must ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/how to keep the heart.htm

The Will.
... true, the will is most usually led by the affections of the heart; therefore the
writer of Proverbs said, "Out of the heart are the issues of life." The heart ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/the will.htm

Keeping and Kept
... THE PROVERBS KEEPING AND KEPT. 'Keep thy heart with all diligence; for
out of it are the issues of life.'"Proverbs 4:23. 'Kept ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/keeping and kept.htm

A Condensed Guide for Life
... waters at both ends, sending one stream east to the Atlantic and one west to the
Pacific; but the heart cannot direct its issues of life in that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a condensed guide for life.htm

July 14 Morning
... Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of
life."Death and life are in the power of the tongue. "The ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 14 morning.htm

A Divided Heart
... Ay but give up everything else; if thou retainest the heart, thou retainest
all, O, fiend! for out of the heart are the issues of life. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm

The Christian Faith
... faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:28,29). "Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study v the christian faith.htm