The Heart's Meaning and Function

Our heart can be compared to a spring from which both good and bad water can flow. We are encouraged to guard that spring so that only what is pure will be produced. (Compare Luke 6:45 to James 3:10-11) The heart is our center of life. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

The words used in the Bible for heart ("Leb" & "Lebab" in the Old Testament and "kardia" in the New Testament) refer to what we know as the soul. Our soul includes our emotions, our will (capacity to make decisions), and our intellect (ability to think and reason). It is also the abiding place for our spirit. Together they make up our heart. Our spirit is born again (made alive to God’s Spirit) when we accept Jesus as Savior. Our mind must be continually renewed by the Word. This is the ongoing process of sanctification.

Since the issues of life come from the heart, many of the important qualities in life are linked to the heart. God created a heart in man to perceive. Perceive means to attain awareness or understanding. Too often, however, the heart becomes an instrument that is deceived instead of an instrument that perceives. Deuteronomy 11:16 warns us, “Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;” All of God's gifts to us must be guarded and the heart is no exception. Only by guarding the heart can it function in the role that God intended.

God created our heart to have many functions. Six functions of the heart, or soul, which are necessary for our marriages to be healed are listed below. Look up each of the scriptures referenced.

1. Our heart controls our words and our actions:
Exodus 35:29
Mark 7:21
Luke 6:45
Proverbs 23:7

2. Our heart is the receptacle for God's Word:
Deuteronomy 11:18
Psalm 119:11
Matthew 13:19

3. Our heart is the source from which we commune with God (pray):
1 Samuel 1:13
Psalm 139:23

4. Our heart directs our health:
Proverbs 15:13
Proverbs 17:22

5. Our heart is the home of our conscience, our faith, and the Holy Spirit:
Acts 2:37
Acts 8:37
Mark 11:23
Romans 10:8-10
2 Corinthians 1:22
Galatians 4:6

6. Our heart is the place where we make the choice to forgive:
Matthew 18:21-35

So here's your assignment for today:
No matter what is going on in your life or how you feel right this moment...
1. STOP
2. Take out a piece of paper
3. Write a LOVE LETTER TO THE LORD.

Tell Him how much you love Him. Tell Him what He has done for you. Tell Him just how much He means to you. Tell Him how He has saved you, over and over, from destruction. Tell Him how you believe in His promises. Tell Him how you will be faithful to His word. Tell Him that you look forward to seeing His miracles. Tell him anything and everything that is on your heart. Don't complain or lament about your situation. Just take a moment to tell your Lord and Savior how much He means to you. I know you will be glad you did it.