What does the heart represent in the Bible?

Scripture shows that there is an intimate connection between the two, and that the heart exercises a considerable influence over the mind. When the declension of man from the knowledge of God to the darkness and corruption of heathendom is described, it is first stated that they "became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened." It then follows that "even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1:21, 28). The heart foolish and darkened was the precursor of the reprobate mind. Again, the apostle prays for the Ephesians that God would give them "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your heart (not, "understanding" as in the A.V.) being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling," etc. So that it is clear that while the knowledge of God was lost through the darkening of the heart, the full knowledge of Him is now communicated through the enlightening of the heart. Since the heart therefore is the highway to every true and proper apprehension of the things of God, it is of the highest importance that the heart should be strictly guarded; even as it is said, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). So the apostle writes to the Philippians, "And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7), thus pointing out what alone can form an efficient garrison for the central citadel of man's nature.

For scripture uniformly teaches that the heart is the core of man's being. It is the seat of the affections and of the impulses that carry man forward in the path of life. The Lord Himself declared to those who were content to make clean the exterior of the platter that there is a fountain of uncleanness within, which they entirely ignored. It is from the heart that proceeds every thing that defileth (Matt. 15:19). The evil heart of the natural man therefore gives a colour to his every action; for it is thence the mischief springs (Matt. 5:28, 1 John 3:15). On the other hand, the heart of the renewed man is so to characterise every action that it may prove good and acceptable before God. As servants of Christ we are to do "the will of God from the heart" (Eph. 6:6). To this end the love of God has been "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). Indeed the very Spirit of God Himself is in our hearts to originate and characterise every affection. This the apostle teaches, "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 1:22).

This fact is of great moment to such as have learnt the deceitfulness of the natural heart (Jer. 17:9). We are not left to ourselves to produce proper feelings Godward. He Who gives us right thoughts of God and the Father gives us right feelings too. For He is the Spirit of love as well as of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). It is He, Who fills the heart with such a sense of the incomparable love of God Rom. 5:5) that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34-35; Luke 6:45).

The heart is often referred to in scripture as the seat of the affections and of the passions, also of wisdom and understanding — hence we read of 'the wise in heart,' also the Lord gave to Solomon 'a wise and understanding heart.' It is the centre of a man's being. But before the deluge God's verdict of man was that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen. 6:5. A similar verdict is found in Gen. 8:21, after Noah came out of the ark. And the Lord said, Out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts and every form of wickedness. Mark 7:21. The law required man to love God with all his heart. The reception of the gospel must be in the heart, Rom. 10:9; and God enables a hearer to receive the good news in 'an honest and good heart,' upon which there is fruit. Luke 8:15. In new creation there is a 'pure heart,' the Christian being led by the Holy Spirit. 1 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Peter 1:22.

In Scripture the heart is the centre of the thoughts, the affections and the will (Matt. 9:4; 12:34; 24:48), that is, the inner “switchboard” of man. This is why the writer of the Proverbs had already said, “Keep thy heart more than anything that is guarded; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). This is an important warning!

By nature nobody possesses a pure heart, not even a child. God had already said in Genesis 8:21, “ … for the thought of Man's heart is evil from his youth” (J.N.D. Trans.). In order that man may see God the wicked human heart must be completely purified.

God claims the attention of the whole man (ver. 5) — heart, eyes, ears; and note, it is the inner man first. The heart stands for the inner springs of man's being and life. As from this organ of our physical frame the blood goes forth to energize the whole of the body's wonderful structure, returning to it to be again prepared for continued work in the circulatory system, so in the spiritual realm we have, as we may say, man's spirit and soul, the sea of his intellectual and emotional faculties which are manifested in his course of life. These are claimed by God, and as being under His control (other control can only result in spiritual death) there goes forth into the spiritual sphere, into all its paths of movement, of circulation, of feeling and emotion, that vital energy which makes us fit vessels for divine service. Then our vision (the eyes) will be full of that light which shines from the innermost Sanctuary enlightening the inner man; and one Voice will be heard, whose accents falling upon the multitudinous strings of our spiritual ears, send those vibrations of divine speech and harmony through our being which bring the desired response to the Master.

The prophet is told to mark well, literally, "set thine heart to," what Jehovah is making known. This is called for in view of the service he is to perform, that of communicating God's mind to the people. It is well for us to remember that such occupation with what God may give is ever essential for the carrying out of any commission He may call upon us to fulfil. Purpose of heart is the necessary qualification for any servant of the Lord. One may possess much learning and great natural ability, be attractive in person and eloquent in speech, and yet useless, because the heart is not right, its purpose not formed in the secret place with God. If the inner man is under the power of divine things it is certain that the members of the outward man will be yielded in happy service to the holy and perfect will of God. God looks upon the heart, not upon the outward appearance, which may easily deceive.

C.C. — I take the heart as representing the inner man. Believing with the heart is not believing on what might be called logical evidence. “Many believed on Him when they saw the miracles which He did;” that is, they believed on Him with the mind in contrast with the heart.

Man's moral centre is the heart. Out of it proceed seven streams of deadly evil, showing the inward moral pollution which the history of fallen man, from Cain downwards, has abundantly proved to be true.

297 As to soul and spirit, spirit is the upper part, and life was communicated to the body through it. Soul, when you make the difference, is that which you have in common with the beasts. The word is used in the Hebrew for everything; conscience, soul, spirit, and heart. Heart thus is really a figure, for else it is a piece of my flesh connected with the circulation of the blood. Take "if our heart condemn us not," there it is in the sense of conscience: "Love God with all thy heart," there it is the affections.

But as the “heart” of man is the spring of evil, so it is the channel for good; and when cleansed of God it is where “Christ may dwell.” “Out of its abundance,” for good or evil, it “speaks.” “With the heart man believes unto righteousness;” it is “purified by faith”; the “pure in heart see God.” It “cleaves with purpose of heart to the Lord.” God’s love is shed abroad in it. It is a good thing that it be established in grace. When God said, “Seek ye my face,” my heart said, “Thy face Lord will I seek.” God would say too, “My son give me thine heart.”

As we have noted, the heart is the center of all motives and activities. Little wonder then that we are admonished, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Keeping the heart certainly involves carefully controlling the heart's desires, that it is not allowed to lead in devious ways. It produces "the issues of life" (v. 23), whether good or bad. But the person is given the responsibility of governing his heart. We all know this, though we may pay little attention to it.

Blessed fact! Blessed relationship! But Israel had to be reminded of the conduct suited to such a relationship — conduct which could only flow from a loving heart. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Here lies the secret of all true practical religion. Without this all is valueless to God. "My son, give me thine heart." Where the heart is given, all will be right. The heart may be compared to the regulator of a watch which acts on the hair-spring, and the hair-spring acts on the main-spring, and the main-spring acts on the hands, as they move round the dial. If your watch goes wrong, it will not do merely to alter the hands, you must touch the regulator. God looks for real heart-work, blessed be His Name! His word to us is, "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."