After my Sunday service sermon, I held a Bible study session on the heart and the transformative power of love. I talked to the Bible study members about how significant the heart was when it came to love because of the countless times it is mentioned in the Bible. Before the Bible study ended, I asked the members if they had any relevant questions regarding the heart, and one member asked me a fascinating one that I will never forget: how many times is heart mentioned in the Bible?
The New International Version( NIV) bible mentions the word heart more than 500 times. In contrast, the King James Version mentions it over 800 times. Overall, in the Bible, the word heart appears over one thousand times.
In this article, I will explore what the Bible says about the heart when it was first mentioned, among other topics. Continue reading if you are curious to know more about the heart.
What Does the Bible Say about the Heart?
The Bible speaks constantly of the heart. According to the Bible, the heart is where everything is born: your mind, will, emotions, actions, and conscience(spirit). It is where all we do comes from it, where according to Proverbs 4:23, all our decisions are made. Every choice, move, or decision you make comes from your heart. Understanding what the Bible says about the heart allows us to comprehend human nature.
Therefore, it is essential to guard our hearts from vices as our character is built on it according to Proverbs 4:23. Moreover, according to Psalms 51:5, the human heart in nature is evil due to how we came to be. Despite this fact, the Bible tells us in Psalms 139:23-24 that we also need to listen to our hearts so that God can search us and reveal what is inside our hearts so we can deal with it.
Bible Verses About Heart
- Proverbs 4:23 Says it is essential to protect your heart because it impacts one’s choices, thoughts, and behavior.
- Psalm 51:10. Psalmists asks God to transform and cleanse their heart, to bring a sense of purity within.
- Matthew 5:8. is a beatitude that promises those pure in heart will experience God.
- Jeremiah 17:9. Says that the human heart can be prone to wickedness and deceit.
- Romans 10:10. Talks about the role the heart plays in salvation and faith and that to believe, we need sincere conviction from the heart.
- Proverbs 3:5-6. Encourages believers to completely trust in God with all their heart and not rely on human understanding in wisdom. By doing that, God will lead us in the right direction.
- Matthew 22:37. Is a response to a question regarding the greatest commandment, which says to love and devote yourself to God wholeheartedly.
- Luke 6:45. Connects the hearts to how people talk and act. It says a bad heart will do evil deeds, and a good heart will do the opposite.
- Psalm 139:23-24. The Psalmist asked God to look at his heart, ways, and thoughts and if there is anything negative within to guide him in the righteous path.
- Proverbs 15:13. Says that a happy heart will make one’s face cheerful, but a heavy heart will hurt one’s spirit and emotions.
- Proverbs 21:2. Says that humans believe their ways are proper and just, but in the end, God truly knows and judges the motives and intentions of their hearts.
- 1 Samuel 16:7. Reveals that God does not focus on the external features of a man but on his inner qualities and intentions from the heart.
- Proverbs 4:4. Says to wholeheartedly accept God’s commandments and teachings to live a fulfilling life.
When is heart first mentioned in the Bible?
The heart is first mentioned in the Bible in the book of Genesis 6:5. In this verse, God observed that the human race had become very wicked and that every thought that came from their hearts was wicked every time. God seeing that state of wickedness in man, was a catalyst for the great flood during Noah’s time.
In this verse, when God saw how evil the human heart was, he was deeply grieved to the point of destroying the whole world to cleanse it of evil and wickedness. He could not connect with his creation because of the wickedness that plagued their hearts.
Types of Heart according to the Bible
The types of heart, according to Bible, can be in three classifications. There is the type of heart filled with Goodness, Badness, and Burdens.
Type of Heart with Goodness
The repentant heart
The repentant heart knows its sinful ways and strives to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness after sinning. For instance, in Psalm 51: 17, King David shows a repentant heart by begging for forgiveness.
The faithful heart
The faithful heart is loyal, devoted, and committed to God. Its priority is to be wholly committed to God. In Numbers 14:24, Caleb showed a faithful heart by following God and was rewarded with land.
The pure heart
The pure heart is true and sincere, without deceit or impurity, and serves no other God. In Psalm 24:3-4, only the pure-hearted can stand in God’s holy place.
The trusting heart
The trusting heart puts complete trust and relies only on God’s promises, faithfulness, and goodness. Proverbs 3: 5 says to trust God wholeheartedly.
The worshipping heart
The worshipping heart solely focuses on worshipping, adoring, and revering God. In Psalm 86:12, the psalmist talks of a heart that worships.
The grateful heart
The grateful heart is full of thankfulness and gratitude toward God’s provision and blessing. Psalm 100: 4 encourages people to be thankful in his presence.
The seeking heart
The seeking heart always seeks God for his guidance and wisdom. Psalm 119: 10, the Psalmist seeks God with all his heart to know and follow all his commandments.
Type of Heart with Badness
The hardened heart
The hardened heart is stubborn and resistant to God’s truth and word. A good example would be Exodus 9: 34, which describes Pharaoh’s hardened heart.
The divided heart
The divided heart is torn and struggles between being devoted to God and earthly possessions and idols. In 1 Kings 18:21, the Israelites are said to have struggled with divided hearts.
The proud heart
The proud heart is filled with self-centeredness and arrogance and denies acknowledging God. Proverbs 16: 5 warns of a prideful heart and that God will punish them.
Type of Heart with Burdens
The broken heart
The broken heart is sorrowful, shattered, and deeply remorseful due to their sins or the broken world. Psalm 34: 18 says that God is close to the broken-hearted.
The anxious heart
The anxious heart is weighed down by worry, grief, heaviness, or burdened emotions. Proverbs 12:25 says anxiety weighs down a heart, and kindness is needed to lift it.
Why is the ‘Heart’ so important in the Bible?
According to the Bible, the heart is so important because it is the center of our thoughts, actions, emotions, and will. The heart reflects our characters from within. According to the Bible, the heart can be wicked, fearful, deceitful, clean, and pure. The heart is where we form our connection with God. Through the heart, we can start our connection with God and maintain the relationship through worship and service. Moreover, without the heart, we would be incapable of sensing or returning love. We would be unable to love God or those around us.
Importance of the Heart in the Bible
The heart is the Core of our being and our identity. The heart reflects our thoughts, desires, intentions, and emotions, shaping our character, identity, attitudes, and actions.
The heart is connected to our relationship with God. We create a close relationship with him by giving our whole hearts to God, trusting and submitting to him without deceit.
Our hearts’ condition determines our spiritual and moral nature. A pure, tender, clean heart yearns to be closer to God, while a hardened heart strays away.
Wisdom and understanding come from the heart. According to Proverbs 4:23, we are cautioned to guard our hearts as it will determine the course of our lives. A wise heart can make clear, Godly choices and overcome life’s challenges. The heart could lead in the wrong direction if we fail to guard it.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
Related posts:
What does emerald symbolize in the Bible (Biblical symbolism and meaning)?
What does jewellery symbolize in the Bible? (Symbolism and Meaning)
How many times is honor mentioned in the Bible? (What does the Bible say about honor?)
How many times is singing mentioned in the Bible? (What the Bible Says about singing, Biblical references about singing + Bible verses about singing)