S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

First, we'll state the obvious: this article is not about the heart as a vital organ, a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. Neither is this article concerned with romantic, philosophical, ...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeremiah Kaaya Supporter Pastor at Springs of Power Church, Teacher by professional

The heart is a symbol of life. It is much vital an organ that it pumps and supplies the body with blood which keeps it alive. A time without the supply of blood to a part of the body will lead to paralysis and eventual death. The heart therefore supplies life to the body. Some other parts of the body such as; the lungs, the brain, the liver, the kidneys are equally important. Yet the heart supplies them all with life. For with no supply of blood, there is simply no life in the flesh (Lev 17:11-14). 

In a sense therefore, that the heart of a human is that vital, so it is deemed appropriate to refer to it as to mean not the literal heart, but the spirit man/inner man of everybody. Just as it is that there is no life without the heart of a human, so it is that without the spirit, man is dead. In that therefore, all scripture about the heart is used in reference to the spirit of man and not the literal heart. It is only to mean that just how the literal heart is indispensable to live, so it is that without the spirit, man is dead. For to use the heart in reference is to try to give a proper feel of the vitality of the spirit to man.

The treasure in man is the heart, and of man, God loves the heart, or the spirit for that matter. Any human is in three forms; the body, the soul, and the spirit. But of the three, the spirit is indispensable. For whatever any human manifests is from the heart. Of the heart, Jesus said; "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mat 5:8). Why so? For the fruits of the spirit are born in the heart and are manifest in the flesh. To struggle to appear good will yield nothing but sheer pretense. The heart is infested with sin. And you can't use dirt to clean up dirt you know. Jesus cleans the heart with His blood and He makes it pure and acceptable to God. 

In expression of how mysterious the heart is, scripture says; "the heart is deceitful above all things and is beyond cure". Who else can understand it except God Himself" (Jeremiah 17:9). There is a little truth in it because it is of God, yet it is infested with sin because by Adam, all human succumbed to the ways and patterns of the devil. With such a fact, only God knows how to handle a heart and cure it of disease. The disease though is spiritual not natural. Guard therefore your heart and not your actions.

The battle between good and bad is in the heart (Lu 6:45). For Jesus said; "For where your treasure is, your heart will be" (Mat 6:21). Meaning; how one's heart is, so it will be how he acts or talks, except for pretense or double standards (Mat 12:34, 23:28). It is for this reason that Jesus identified more with the tax collectors and the harlots because they pretended not (Mat 9:11), (Mark 2:15-17), (Mat 21:31), (Mat 23:27). They would never struggle to appear better than they were unlike the Scribes and Pharisees. The tax collectors and the harlots had admitted their status quo and made it easier for Jesus to reach out to them.

For as it is; all evil is manufactured in the heart (Mat 15:18), (Mark 7:14-15), (Mark 7:17-23). But note that Jesus came to deal with such. For all meaning is in the heart. God loves a clean and pure heart. He gave His Son for it. 

When one appears not to covet, it may not mean he will not if a situation demanding so presents itself. And God's reward is not based on how we act per Se, but the source from which we act. Yet we ought to note that we can only pretend to be good. For no person pretends to be bad. 

It is in the same spirit that Jesus said; what enters a man doesn't defile him, but what comes from within defiles a man (Mark 7:18). For no one will claim to have stolen or raped, or whatever, if they ate pork, or ate a snake. Such will never affect the state of one's heart. It is therefore about submission to Jesus Christ and not our struggles. For if you are intent on battling, you will surely keep struggling and failing.

April 23 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Raki Gray Supporter

The heart of a man, this I believe is one of the most important topics to talk on and work out, according to how it was before the cross, and the truth about the heart after the cross once a person is born again. 

Must I say, a person will act the way they think or believe who they are, so that the underlaying root cause is belief, resulting in right behaviour born from believing the new root system (new creation). 

Likewise, if a person thinks to believe the opposite of the new creation, this is not only a sin but it also is called unbelief. 

The bible explains the human heart was dead to God and made alive to sin (nature). Prior to being made alive in Christ and dead to sin (nature), we were dead in sin. The part of us that was dead was our spirit man (heart) that spirit part within all earthly human bodyies is dead unto dead works.

God breathed life into Adam, but because of Adam’s one sin all have sinned and everyone born after Adam was born with a sin nature to bear sin fruit. 
So now what the first Adam lost the last Adam Jesus restored. For the first time since the garden of Eden God once again breathed His spirit into man (see John 20:22). They received the Holy Spirit, being born again.

Ezekiel prophesied about this time that God would REMOVE the stony heart and give man a heart of flesh by way of His spirit (see Ezekiel 11:19).

Before the cross nobody had received the Holy Spirit (see John 14:17). 
He was given after the cross when Jesus entered into His glory (see 7:39).

The bible says he who is joined with the Lord is one in spirit with Him (see 1 Corin 6:17). The place He lives in is the heart. That’s where He is; the third person of the Godhead lives in YOU.

So where He is in your Spirit, it’s perfect, yet many people struggle to believe that. 

There are many more scriptures that teach us that our hearts in Christ are perfect! The true bible meaning for the word "repent" means "to change the mind." It is not change the mind on a sin action or to turn away from a sin, like a 180-spin around to walk in the opposite direction, but to change your mind, being in Christ, your true identity in Christ. 

The heart is the real you; it’s not your soul or your body. The heart or Spirit is the real person. 

Thanks for reading.

February 21 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Mat 6:21: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

From the time of creation, God the Father said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” He gave them dominion over the fish of the sea, fowls of the air, over cattle, and all creeping things of the earth. He commanded them, "Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat.” This knowledge of good and evil was the treasure that filled their heart, leading their blood to strive in their heart. These then filled the treasures of the heart of Cain, who slew Abel, for the Lord had respect for Abel’s offering, but for Cain, He had no respect. (Gen 2:17/3:6/4:4,8-10) The heart is a storehouse where your thoughts, emotions, actions, and deeds are stored, which then doesn’t lead you to humbleness. For one being wise in the right spirit, will purge out his heart and will not seek after treasures. 

One knowing good and evil allows their heart to strive, leading them to drive their humbleness away, which then leads them to have pride in themselves. One needs to guard their hearts with all diligence, the blood that strives, for from it shall it flow the issues of life. (Pro 4:23/Heb 12:4) One being wise, having the right spirit of understanding, what enters in him cannot defile him, for it entered not into his heart but into the belly and then goeth out into the draught purging all meats. (Mark 7:15,18-19) Disciples followed our Lord Jesus to the Mount of Olives, and He told His disciples, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation." He then cried out to the Father, “If thou willing, remove this cup from Me; not my will, but thine be done unto Me.” (Lk 22:40-42) 

One needs to discern and be aware not to look for the treasures of the earth but of heaven. For one needs to note those that cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine, for they are such who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly, by good words and fair speeches, deceiving the hearts of the humble. For the time will come when they will then not endure sound doctrine, but after their lust shall heap to themselves preachers having itching ears. (Rom 16:17-18/2 Tim 4:3) If one has the humbleness to discern in the right spirit, the Spirit of the Lord God will transform your heart and give a new spirit in you. (Heb 12:6/Eze 36:26) For the Lord will then give the “Fruit of the Spirit” with wisdom that enters into thine heart and knowledge that is pleasant given to your soul. (Pro 2:10-12/Gal 5:22,26)

Joel 2:13: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of evil. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report