Download Keeping The Heart

Keeping The Heart
“Keep your heart
with all diligence,
For out of it spring
the issues of life.”
(Proverbs 4:23)
What Is the Heart?
Not used in Bible primarily to refer
to the blood pump
 kardia – Thayer, 2b) “the centre
and seat of spiritual life; the soul
or mind, as it is the fountain and
seat of the thoughts, passions,
desires, appetites, affections,
purposes, endeavours…”

Romans 1:21
“Because, although they knew God,
they did not glorify Him as God, nor
were thankful, but became futile in
their thoughts, and their foolish
hearts were darkened.”
Here the heart refers to the
understanding of man
Hebrews 3:8
“Do not harden your hearts as in
the rebellion, In the day of trial in
the wilderness.”
Here, in the Hebrew writer’s
call to faithfulness, the heart
refers to the will.
Proverbs 23:26
“My son, give me your heart, And
let your eyes observe my ways.”
Here, the wise father requests
the affection and desires of his
son, to protect him from an evil
woman.
1 John 3:19-21
“And by this we know that we are
of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart
condemns us, God is greater than
our heart, and knows all things. 21
Beloved, if our heart does not
condemn us, we have confidence
toward God.”
John here refers to the
conscience.
How is the Heart
to be Kept?

Since the heart is the seat of
our understanding, we must
grow in knowledge
 Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 3:13-17
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
And these words which I command you
today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall
teach them diligently to your children, and
shall talk of them when you sit in your
house, when you walk by the way, when
you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You
shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and
they shall be as frontlets between your
eyes. 9 You shall write them on the
doorposts of your house and on your gates.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
But evil men and impostors will grow
worse and worse, deceiving and being
deceived. 14 But you must continue in the
things which you have learned and been
assured of, knowing from whom you have
learned them, 15 and that from childhood
you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus…
2 Timothy 3:13-17, cont…
All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in
righteousness, 17 that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
16
How is the Heart
to be Kept?
Since the heart is the seat of
our understanding, we must
grow in knowledge
 Deut. 6:6-9; 2 Tim. 3:13-17
 Since the heart is the seat of
volition, we must submit to the
authority of God
 Matt. 7:21-23; 12:46-50

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in
heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day,
‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in
Your name, cast out demons in Your
name, and done many wonders in Your
name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them,
‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you
who practice lawlessness!’
Matthew 12:46-50
While He was still talking to the
multitudes, behold, His mother and
brothers stood outside, seeking to
speak with Him. 47 Then one said to
Him, “Look, Your mother and Your
brothers are standing outside,
seeking to speak with You.” 48 But He
answered and said to the one who
told Him, “Who is My mother and
who are My brothers?”
Matthew 12:46-50, cont…
And He stretched out His hand
toward His disciples and said, “Here
are My mother and My brothers! 50
For whoever does the will of My
Father in heaven is My brother and
sister and mother.”
49
How is the Heart
to be Kept?

Since the heart is the seat of
attachment, our affection must
be centered on spiritual things
 Rom. 8:5-8; Col. 3:1-2
Romans 8:5-8
For those who live according to the flesh
set their minds on the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally
minded is death, but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace. 7 Because the
carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is
not subject to the law of God, nor indeed
can be. 8 So then, those who are in the
flesh cannot please God.
Colossians 3:1-2
If then you were raised with Christ,
seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right
hand of God. 2 Set your mind on
things above, not on things on the
earth.
How is the Heart
to be Kept?
Since the heart is the seat of
attachment, our affection must
be centered on spiritual things
 Rom. 8:5-8; Col. 3:1-2
 Since the heart is the seat of
character, our conscience must
be pure, tender and receptive
 1 Tim. 1:5-7; 18-19

1 Timothy 1:5-7
Now the purpose of the
commandment is love from a pure
heart, from a good conscience, and
from sincere faith, 6 from which
some, having strayed, have turned
aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be
teachers of the law, understanding
neither what they say nor the things
which they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:18-19
This charge I commit to you, son
Timothy, according to the prophecies
previously made concerning you, that
by them you may wage the good
warfare, 19 having faith and a good
conscience, which some having
rejected, concerning the faith have
suffered shipwreck.
Is Your Heart
Right With God?
For the word of God is living and powerful, and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature
hidden from His sight, but all things are naked
and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must
give account.
(Hebrews 4:12-13)