The concept of the heart in biblical literature is rich and multifaceted, often symbolizing the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. In the context of regarding iniquity, the heart is portrayed as a critical battleground for moral and spiritual integrity. The Bible frequently admonishes believers to guard their hearts against iniquity, emphasizing the importance of purity and righteousness.

Biblical Exhortations Against Iniquity in the Heart

The Bible consistently warns against harboring iniquity within the heart. In Psalm 66:18, the psalmist declares, "If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." This verse underscores the principle that iniquity in the heart can hinder one's relationship with God, particularly in the realm of prayer and divine communication.

Similarly, Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This passage highlights the heart as the source of life and moral conduct, suggesting that allowing iniquity to take root can corrupt one's entire being.

The Heart's Role in Moral and Spiritual Life

The heart is depicted as the seat of moral decision-making and spiritual discernment. In Jeremiah 17:9, the prophet warns, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse reflects the inherent tendency of the human heart towards deceit and sin, necessitating vigilance and divine intervention for purification.

Jesus further expounds on the condition of the heart in Matthew 15:19, stating, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." Here, the heart is identified as the origin of sinful actions, reinforcing the need for inner transformation and renewal.

Divine Assistance in Purifying the Heart

The Bible offers hope for those seeking to cleanse their hearts from iniquity. In Ezekiel 36:26, God 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 divine promise points to the transformative power of God's grace, enabling believers to overcome iniquity and cultivate a heart aligned with His will.

David's prayer in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me," serves as a model for seeking divine assistance in heart purification. This plea acknowledges human inability to achieve purity independently and the necessity of God's intervention.

Practical Implications for Believers

For believers, the call to regard not iniquity in the heart involves active engagement in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on Scripture, and confession. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:8, encourages believers to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, suggesting that such focus aids in maintaining a heart free from iniquity.

Moreover, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding and empowering believers to resist iniquity. Galatians 5:16 advises, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh," indicating that reliance on the Spirit is essential for heart purity.

In summary, the biblical narrative presents the heart as a vital component of one's spiritual life, with a clear mandate to avoid regarding iniquity within it. Through divine assistance and spiritual discipline, believers are called to cultivate hearts that reflect God's righteousness and holiness.Psalm 66:18
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

When Our Heart May be Said not to Reproach Us; when Good is to be ...
... is neither reproached by his own heart, nor convinced ... this concerning himself, when
he says, "Not one of ... done iniquity unawares." [1484] With regard, then, to ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/28 when our heart may.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... 3 He has an impure heart who regards iniquity in his heart. If I regard iniquity
in my heart, the Lord will not hear me' (Psalm 66:18). ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

How they are to be Admonished who Lament Sins of Deed, and those ...
... my sin, since I myself cease not to regard it. ... For often merciful God absolves sins
of the heart the more speedily in that He allows them not to issue in ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxix how they are.htm

For Godly Sorrow Worketh Repentance to Salvation, not to be ...
... The heart is not changed ... and very far from manifesting a Christian spirit in regard
to all ... They have not purged out iniquity from their heart but they regarded ...
/.../lectures to professing christians/for godly sorrow worketh repentance.htm

That the Words Love and Regard (Amor and Dilectio) are in ...
... because some are of opinion that charity or regard (dilectio) is ... in a bad sense if
the object be not defined ... And, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart." [671] And ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 7 that the words love.htm

The First Disciples: iv. Nathanael
... you are not doing the same thing in regard to all ... show that He had read his very
heart: 'Behold an ... is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples iv nathanael.htm

How Holy Love Returning into the Soul, Brings Back to Life all the ...
... his mercy, or rather the mercy of God obliges his justice, to regard anew the ... [541]
For, as you see, he not only demands a newness of heart and spirit ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii how holy love.htm

Whether the Law of Nature Can be Abolished from the Heart of Man?
... law can be blotted out from the human heart, either by ... out the law of nature in
particular cases, not universally, except perchance in regard to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the law of nature.htm

A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
... One must be very dull of hearing not to feel how it ... The Psalmist's heart is too full
to be emptied by one ... And that is true both in regard to the three words ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a threefold thought of sin.htm

Commandment Tenth. Of Grief, and not Grieving the Spirit of God ...
... when anger attaches itself to a man in regard to any ... is embittered, then grief enters
into the heart of the ... altar of God." "Why," say I, "does not the entreaty ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment tenth of grief and.htm

What does it mean that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)? | GotQuestions.org

How could David be considered a man after God's own heart? | GotQuestions.org

Is it biblical to ask Jesus into your heart? | GotQuestions.org

Heart: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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