The Proverbs have eighty-two references to the heart! This number is eclipsed by only one other book in the Bible. Our heart is the part of us that God sees and knows us to be. So much instruction is offered concerning the heart of man, it’s clearly a priority for a well-lived life.
Look at Mark 7. Jesus has just ended another exchange with the Pharisees, who are criticizing Jesus’ disciples for eating food with unwashed hands. Jesus says, “Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear…And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7:14-23)
Perhaps a thousand years before the days of the Pharisees, God’s servant, Job, understood that no outward cleansing could purify his heart. “If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me” Job 9:30-31.
Back in my college days, one of our instructors, a very wise, humble, and sincere man, often quoted the following to us: “At the heart of every matter, is a matter of the heart.” He pulled this out whether he was dealing with Old Testament character studies or student relationship problems. The God Who created me knows my heart and has the power to change my heart. David cried in the Psalms, “Create in me a clean heart!” These words were said by the one man with the testimony of being after God’s own heart. Was it his perfection that made him so? No, it was his communion with the heart of God and his plea for transformation. Every action of life proceeds from the heart.
We know this, of course…
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:10)
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” (Luke 6:45)
“…doing the will of God from the heart.” (Eph. 6:6b)
No wonder my teacher’s quote was always accompanied by the following proverb, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” Prov. 4:23. (V.K.S.)
Proverbs 2 opens with the following verses: “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom… then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
The Internet seems to like blog posts and news articles that begin with numbers! For example, an article may offer X numbers of ways to improve a skill, complete a task, or celebrate a special occasion. I’m offering two lists today- I hope...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
We all tend to have Bible verses that show up in our lives on repeat, don’t we? That is certainly true for me as a parent! There are verses that practically live on my lips, such as “Be ye kind one to another,” “Be ye angry...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen” 2 Pet. 3:18. Did you ever notice that we are born to grow? Every time a new baby comes along, the proud parents...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6. Sixteen...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” Gen. 8:22. Isn’t it an interesting thought that the seasons that bring so much change and variety to...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
I recently uncovered a textbook from my Bible College Days titled Bible Manners and Customs. I don’t remember being overly fond of the laborious details in that book! But there was a purpose for its study. It brought to light the...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
There are many Bible characters that had struggles with worry or anxiety: *Martha (Luke 10:41) “thou art careful and troubled about many things” Martha was burdened by service and ministry. She allowed the cares of life to come between...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
My front yard in the month of August is usually a desert of brown- dry, crunchy, brown grass. Our lives are like that grass of the field. “As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth” Psa. 103:15. And...[ abbreviated | read entire ]