"Bible Hearts"

Larry R. Ping II

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     The word “heart,” or a form of it appears around 900 times in God’s Word. The Bible, in using this term, does not make reference to the physical blood-pump within our bodies. Rather, it notes the “emotional and intellectual” part of man, his mind. Have you considered the following kinds of hearts of which the Bible speaks? Do so now!

 

     1) Hard Heart. Pharaoh had this kind of heart (Exo. 4:21; Exo. 7:14; Exo. 8:15). This sort of heart is stubborn, offering no opportunity for change. God describes this as a “heart firm as a stone” (Job. 41:24). Ezekiel calls it a “stony heart” (Eze. 11:19).

 

     2) Glad Heart. The Psalmist shared information about this kind of heart (Psa. 4:7). This carries with it the idea of contentedness, of happiness with current states of affair (Php. 4:11), much like Boaz in Ruth 3:7. Solomon wrote “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Prov. 17:22). 

 

     3) Purposed Heart. It was said of Daniel he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Dan. 1:8). This type of heart is a “planning ahead” one, not waiting until the last second to make important decisions. Early disciples were urged to “cleave unto the Lord” with “purpose of heart” (Acts 11:23). Every man is to give “as he purposeth in his heart” (II Cor. 9:7).

 

     4) Far-Away Heart. Jesus, of the scribes and Pharisees, said “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matt. 15:8; Mk. 7:6). This variety of heart is going through the motions of worship, mechanically doing as God commands, without having the right mindset and attitude. This is why the Lord commanded “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). Let not your heart drift in worship. 

 

     5) Kept Heart. The wise man recorded “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). This brand of heart is a “protected” heart, one which is closely guarded. What is permitted into the mind, will eventually exit in actions. The Lord affirms this by teaching “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:18-19).

 

     6) Willing Heart. When it came time to gather supplies to erect the tabernacle, Moses said “Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it” (Exo. 35:5). In this case, the people excelled, insomuch they had to be “restrained from bringing” (Exo. 36:6). May we have a heart which is longing to do and excited about the Lord’s work.