HEART

            There are a few things we may say about the heart, and not all of them will agree, I mean, some will appear to be paradoxical. The heart could be defined as the hollow, muscular organ in vertebrates that pumps blood received from the veins into the arteries, thereby supplying the entire circulatory system. Also, the vital center of one’s being, emotions, and sensibilities; courage; fortitude; and the central or innermost physical part: the heart of the financial district; the most important essential part: the heart of the problem. These and more other things could be concepts of heart.

            But, how could I know the heart of someone? I guess that it will depend on his attitude facing problems of life. But, again, if I want to know more about the human heart I should know what the Scriptures say about it.

Heart comes from the Greek Kardia: The Scriptures attributed to the heart thoughts, reasonings, understanding, will, judgment, designs, affections, love, hatred, fear, joy, sorrow and anger since these things can actually affect a man’s physical heart. We all know how thoughts and emotions affect our blood pressure. Therefore, the heart is used for the mind in general (“O generation of vipers, how can ye being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” Mat. 12:34; “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quit spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” I P. 3:4); the understanding (“And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,” Lk. 9:47;  “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” II Co. 4:6); the will (“Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23); the memory (“And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.” Luke. 1:66); the intention, affection or desire (“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mat. 6:21); the conscience (“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”). It can also mean the middle or inner part, as the heart is of the breast, as the heart of the earth is the inner part of the earth, the grave.

But, whatever things are about the heart, the Scriptures declares that an unchanging heart is capable of evil things and very perverse.

“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:” Mat. 15:19, 20.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer.17:9, 10.

It is possible to know the heart of the people? I will say no, unless you have a guide in yours…  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.  John 14:23.