Keeping The Heart “ Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. ” (Proverbs 4:23)

What Is the Heart? Not used in Bible primarily to refer to the blood pump kardia – Thayer, 2b) “ the centre and seat of spiritual life; the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours …”

Romans 1:21 “ Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ” Here the heart refers to the understanding of man

Hebrews 3:8 “ Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness. ” Here, in the Hebrew writer ’ s call to faithfulness, the heart refers to the will.

Proverbs 23:26 “ My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. ” Here, the wise father requests the affection and desires of his son, to protect him from an evil woman.

1 John 3:19-21 “ And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ” John here refers to the conscience.

How is the Heart to be Kept? Since the heart is the seat of our understanding, we must grow in knowledge Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 3:13-17

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus …

2 Timothy 3:13-17, cont… 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How is the Heart to be Kept? Since the heart is the seat of our understanding, we must grow in knowledge Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 3:13-17 Since the heart is the seat of volition, we must submit to the authority of God Matt. 7:21-23; 12:46-50

Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘ Lord, Lord, ’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘ Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? ’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘ I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! ’

Matthew 12:46-50 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. 47 Then one said to Him, “ Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You. ” 48 But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “ Who is My mother and who are My brothers? ”

Matthew 12:46-50, cont… 49 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “ Here are My mother and My brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother. ”

How is the Heart to be Kept? Since the heart is the seat of attachment, our affection must be centered on spiritual things Rom. 8:5-8; Col. 3:1-2

Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

How is the Heart to be Kept? Since the heart is the seat of attachment, our affection must be centered on spiritual things Rom. 8:5-8; Col. 3:1-2 Since the heart is the seat of character, our conscience must be pure, tender and receptive 1 Tim. 1:5-7; 18-19

1 Timothy 1:5-7 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.

Is Your Heart Right With God? For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)