The term "heartless" is not explicitly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept is addressed through various scriptures that describe attitudes and behaviors lacking compassion, mercy, or love. In biblical terms, a heartless person is one who acts without regard for the feelings or needs of others, often characterized by cruelty, indifference, or a hardened heart.

Biblical Context

1. Old Testament References: The Old Testament frequently addresses the condition of the heart, emphasizing the importance of compassion and mercy. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises to transform the hearts of His people: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This verse highlights the transformation from a heartless, unfeeling state to one that is responsive and compassionate.

2. New Testament Teachings: The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of love and compassion. In Matthew 9:36, Jesus exemplifies a heart full of compassion: "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This stands in contrast to the heartless attitudes condemned by Jesus, such as those of the Pharisees, who were often criticized for their lack of mercy and understanding (Matthew 23:23).

3. Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the issue of heartlessness in his letters. In Romans 1:31, he describes those who have turned away from God as "senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless." This passage underscores the idea that a heartless disposition is a result of rejecting God's truth and love.

4. The Call to Love: Throughout Scripture, believers are called to exhibit love and compassion, counteracting heartlessness. In 1 John 3:17, the apostle John writes, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" This rhetorical question challenges believers to examine their hearts and ensure they are not hardened or indifferent to the needs of others.

Theological Implications

The concept of heartlessness is deeply intertwined with the biblical understanding of sin and the fallen nature of humanity. A heartless attitude is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem—a separation from God and His love. The Bible teaches that true transformation and the ability to love others genuinely come from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As believers are conformed to the image of Christ, they are called to put off heartless behaviors and to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to examine their own hearts and to seek God's help in cultivating a heart of compassion. This involves being attentive to the needs of others, showing mercy, and acting in love. The transformation from heartlessness to a heart full of love is a work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live out the love of Christ in their daily interactions. Through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and fellowship with other believers, Christians are equipped to overcome heartlessness and to reflect the heart of God to a hurting world.1. (a.) Without a heart.

2. (a.) Destitute of courage; spiritless; despondent.

3. (a.) Destitute of feeling or affection; unsympathetic; cruel.

Dives and Lazarus
... Keeping them in view, its true purpose is plain. It is meant to rebuke, not
the possession of wealth, but its heartless, selfish use. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/dives and lazarus.htm

Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the ...
... By society in general, she was voted "thoroughly heartless,"" when as a matter of
fact she had too much heart, and gave her "largesse" of sympathy somewhat ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xi meanwhile angela sovrani was.htm

Thou Art the Man
... And so, when he hears the story of a mean, heartless selfishness, all that is best
in him kindles into a generous indignation, and flames out into instinctive ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/thou art the man.htm

Chastisements.
... The sensitive nature of the psalmist winces under their heartless desertion
of him, and pours out its plaint in this pathetic lament. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

The Carcass and the Eagles
... The chiefs of the foremost nation in the world should surely be something better
than the heartless debauchees whom the Prophet proceeds to paint. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the carcass and the eagles.htm

The Carrion and the Vultures
... Generations of heartless luxury, selfishness, carelessness of the cry of the poor,
immoral separation of class from class, and all the sins which a ruling ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the carrion and the vultures.htm

Imagination in Prayer
... And there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee." There is a cold and heartless
proverb among men to this effect: "Out of sight, out of mind." And this ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xx imagination in prayer.htm

Man's Passions and God's Purpose
... 5. The cruel trick by which Jacob was deceived is perhaps the most heartless bit
of the whole heartless crime. It came as near an insult as possible. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/mans passions and gods purpose.htm

And Judas Iscariot
... And Judas Iscariot," brings to our recollection the story of a man who lost his
opportunity to be good and great; the picture of one who was heartless in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/and judas iscariot.htm

'See Thou to That!'
... done with. What were the agonies or the tears of a hundred such as he
to these high-placed and heartless transgressors? Priests ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/see thou to that.htm

Heartless (3 Occurrences)
...Heartless (3 Occurrences). ... Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this, O foolish and heartless people,
who have eyes and see not; who have ears, and hear not. (DBY). ...
/h/heartless.htm - 7k

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)
... Remorse over their heartless treatment of his brother Joseph may have made
the other brothers especially tender toward Benjamin. ...
/b/benjamin.htm - 50k

Obadiah (21 Occurrences)
... describes the cruelty and shameless gloating over a brother's calamity, in the form
of earnest appeals to Edom not to do the selfish and heartless deeds of ...
/o/obadiah.htm - 32k

Glory (590 Occurrences)
... as the parallelism indicates, it refers to the wealth of the sinner; and in Isaiah
10:3 it is said that in the day of desolation the heartless plunderers of ...
/g/glory.htm - 71k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... had fallen in respect (compare the treatment he received, Jeremiah 26:16-19 with
37:15; 38:6). The king, however, was not arrogant and heartless like his ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Heart-knowing (1 Occurrence)
Heart-knowing. Heartily, Heart-knowing. Heartless . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Heartily, Heart-knowing. Heartless . Reference Bible.
/h/heart-knowing.htm - 6k

Hearts (418 Occurrences)

/h/hearts.htm - 35k

Anem (1 Occurrence)

/a/anem.htm - 101k

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