Topical Bible: The Heart: should be Applied to Wisdom

◄ The Heart: should be Applied to Wisdom ►

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In biblical literature, the heart is often seen as the center of human emotion, thought, and will. It is not merely a physical organ but a metaphorical seat of one's inner life, encompassing intellect, emotions, and moral character. The heart's application to wisdom is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's inner being with divine understanding and discernment.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament frequently associates the heart with wisdom, urging believers to seek a heart that understands and discerns God's ways. In Proverbs, a book dedicated to imparting wisdom, the heart is central to acquiring and applying knowledge. Proverbs 2:10-11 states, "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you." Here, wisdom is portrayed as entering the heart, suggesting an intimate and transformative relationship between the two.

King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, is a prime example of the heart's role in wisdom. When God offered Solomon anything he desired, Solomon requested "an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil" (1 Kings 3:9). This request pleased God, who granted Solomon unparalleled wisdom, illustrating that a heart inclined toward understanding is essential for wise leadership and decision-making.

The Psalms and the Heart

The Psalms also reflect the connection between the heart and wisdom. Psalm 90:12 implores, "So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom." This verse highlights the heart's role in recognizing the brevity of life and the importance of living wisely. The psalmist seeks a heart that is not only aware of life's temporal nature but also aligned with God's eternal purposes.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, the heart continues to be a focal point for wisdom. Jesus emphasizes the heart's significance in moral and spiritual discernment. In Matthew 15:19 , He teaches, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." This passage underscores the heart as the source of both wisdom and folly, depending on its orientation.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the heart's role in wisdom in his epistles. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , Paul prays for the believers, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." Here, the "eyes of your heart" metaphorically represent the inner understanding and insight that come from divine wisdom.

Practical Application

The biblical emphasis on the heart's application to wisdom calls believers to cultivate a heart that seeks and treasures divine understanding. This involves a commitment to prayer, study of Scripture, and openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance. As Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." A heart aligned with wisdom is vigilant, discerning, and ultimately life-giving, reflecting the character and purposes of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 2:2
So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Wisdom of God
... neither have had a head to devise, nor a heart to desire ... (2.) The means by which
salvation is applied sets forth God's wisdom; that salvation should be by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 the wisdom of god.htm

How Much God Desires we Should Love Him.
... Although our Saviour's redemption is applied to us in ... blood, is infinitely desirous
that we should love him ... Theotimus, how amorous the divine heart is of our ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii how much god.htm

Of the Various Ways in which Christ is the Logos.
... they had not had sin." Should the words be applied, as many ... Why should it not be
a prophet? ... a word about his prophecy concerning Christ: "My heart hath belched ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/42 of the various ways.htm

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... Would they like the proverb to be applied to them? ... on character of our utterances
is not present to us, as it should be. They leave stains on lips and heart. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

The Heart: a Gift for God
... we do not mean a physical force, but only such force as may be applied to free ... "My
son, give me thine heart." It seems a pity that a man should have to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the heart a gift for.htm

Wisdom and Revelation.
... 6b-12); (c) they had been spiritually applied by God ... but that the two kinds of knowledge
should be carefully ... is that the eyes of the heart become permanently ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/vii wisdom and revelation.htm

The Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation.
... here said of an human body, may be applied to the ... his character; and the emotions
of his heart flow from ... his thoughts in such a way, as I should have uttered ...
/.../sect ii the power and.htm

Whether it was Becoming that Christ Should Lead an Austere Life in ...
... But why should our Lord, whose right by nature it is ... love God in three ways, 'with
our whole heart, our whole ... code, by four, which number may be applied to the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was becoming that 2.htm

Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
... might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and be turned, and I
should heal them ... that is, they use its phraseology, originally applied in a ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxix quotations from the.htm

The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne
... true in general, is not to be unconditionally applied to specific ... for the wild cries
of an agonised heart when he ... in order to grow a crop which should be reaped ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the peaceable fruits of sorrows.htm