The heart is at the core of our physical existence. We can live without a foot, leg, arm, hand, gall bladder, ear, eye, or even brain function, but without a heart – we die.
The heart is also central in reference to emotions, illustrated by these idioms. When we eat our hearts out, we are envious. Our heart breaks when we are sad. We lose our hearts when we fall in love. We follow our hearts when we are happy. From the bottom of the heart means sincerity. The cold hearted are unforgiving. When we pour out our hearts we are telling others how we feel.
God talks a lot about the emotional heart from a spiritual perspective. At times it can be difficult to know and rule our hearts. We are emotional beings who can easily be led astray by our feelings. That’s why God says the heart can be deceitful and wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9)
God knows our hearts better than we know ourselves. (Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 9:4) We can pretend we feel a certain way but eventually our hearts reveal our true attitudes. A good heart will bring about good for others. An evil heart will bring about bad for others. The truth will always come out. Our words eventually belie our true intentions. (Luke 6:45) We will put time, money, and effort into where our heart is. (Matthew 6:21)
Evil thoughts start in the heart. It is here the thought process can lead us to be prideful, foolish, envious, stubborn, rebellious, and lustful. (Mark 20-23, Hebrews 3:8) However, it is also in the heart where we can have love, hope, compassion, and forgiveness. (Romans 5:5, Matthew 18:35)
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy can rot the bones. (Proverbs 14:30) A cheerful heart is as good as medicine to heal, but a crushed spirit brings us down. How we feel guides what we do. That’s why God says to guard our hearts. Our hearts determine how we live our lives.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
(Proverbs 4:23, NIV)
How does one guard a heart? Proverbs 23:7 says we become what we think about in our hearts. So it might benefit us to dwell on the positive aspects of life, not the negative.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
(Philippians 4:8)
Sometimes we use the phrase “to get to the heart of an issue.” That’s what God would like to do with us. Get into our very hearts and live His life within us. God wants to be a part of our lives. When we seek Him with our hearts desiring a relationship with Him, He readily makes Himself available. (Deuteronomy 4:29) With God in our lives, our hearts are much easier to guard.
