Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Greetings, Townhall Bible study readers, both loyal and new. Today, we conclude the two-part “What the Bible Says About the Heart.” If you missed Vol. 191, discussing what the Hebrew Bible said about our most referenced and essential organ, click here.
Before diving into the heart of the New Testament, let’s briefly summarize why this topic is meaningful. The heart is central to transformation. God figuratively shapes and renews our “hearts,” implanting a desire to serve and glorify Him. Bible passages illustrate how our heart grows in love for God and humankind since God is love. Moreover, the heart is the foundation for all complexities of the human condition, especially emotions and morality.
Here is a sample of heart-related verses in order of appearance:
Jesus said: “ ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’ ” (Matthew 5:8). The problem is humans are sinful and flawed creatures who STRIVE but often fail to have a pure heart. That is why we need the grace and forgiveness offered by Jesus.
“ ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ ” (Matthew 6:21) and in (Luke 12:33-34). Only Jesus can speak truth this accurately, succinctly, and poetically.
“ ‘You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of ’ ” (Matthew 12:34). Jesus levels an insult that cuts through the heart.
“ ‘But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone’ ” (Matthew 15:18-20). Jesus explains why the heart is complicated and responsible for the best and the worst of humanity. But we know these biblical heart verses are figurative since our brains are responsible for “what comes out of the mouth.”
Jesus spoke the following verse, and last week, I mentioned that He quoted it from Deuteronomy 6:5:
“And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). And in (Mark 12:30).
In Mark, Jesus teaches about believing with all your heart:
“ ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them’ ” (Mark 11:23).
In this next verse, Jesus gifted humanity with what became a popular heart-focused go-to saying:
“ ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ ” (John 14:27).
I ended last week’s Old Testament study previewing this heart-related New Testament verse spoken by Jesus since it spoke to me about His power over an angry world:
“ ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world ’ ” (John 16:33).
Now it’s time for St. Paul, the New Testament’s most profound, heartfelt writer:
“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:10).
Thank you, St. Paul, for giving charities a famous slogan infused with a touch of guilt:
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Here is why Paul is a gift to the world and especially to those who believe in Jesus:
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
The unknown writer of Hebrews is a big proponent of Bible study:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
A double heart verse:
“..let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).
James offers a plan for living with advice for those who have lost their way:
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).
For all the ladies out there who spend time and money on their hair, clothes, and jewelry, Peter has a message:
“Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
I asked my husband to read this verse to ensure that the next time I return from the salon with expensively highlighted hair, he won’t say, “What happened to ‘let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart’ ”? But, instead, he will exclaim, “My heart feels ‘the imperishable beauty’ of your ‘gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious,’ and even MORE so without dark roots.”
And remember:
“For the word of God is alive and active…. it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Therefore, let’s keep reading and studying His Word, and we “shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Amen to that!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.