Topical Bible: The Heart: should be Guided in the Right

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Topical Encyclopedia

The heart, in biblical terms, is often seen as the center of human emotion, will, and intellect. It is the seat of moral and spiritual life, influencing thoughts, actions, and decisions. Scripture emphasizes the importance of guiding the heart in the right direction, aligning it with God's will and righteousness.

Biblical Understanding of the Heart

The Bible frequently addresses the condition and orientation of the heart. In Jeremiah 17:9, it is written, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" . This verse highlights the natural inclination of the human heart towards deceit and sin, necessitating divine guidance and transformation.

Guidance of the Heart

Proverbs 4:23 instructs, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life" . This verse underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting the heart from corrupt influences, as it is the source of one's actions and life choices. The heart must be guided by wisdom and understanding, rooted in the fear of the Lord.

The Role of God's Word

The Word of God serves as a primary guide for the heart. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" . Scripture provides the necessary illumination for the heart, directing it towards righteousness and away from sin. The internalization of God's Word is crucial for the heart's guidance, as seen in Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You" .

The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding the heart. In John 16:13, Jesus promises, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth" . The Spirit convicts, teaches, and leads the believer's heart into alignment with God's truth, enabling a life that reflects His character and purposes.

The Heart's Transformation

A heart guided in the right is one that has undergone transformation. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of this divine work: "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 transformation is essential for the heart to be receptive to God's guidance and to live in obedience to His commands.

The Call to Love God

The greatest commandment, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" . This call to love God wholeheartedly requires a heart that is fully devoted and guided by His principles. Such a heart seeks to honor God in all aspects of life, reflecting His love and truth to the world.

Conclusion

The heart, as the core of human existence, must be diligently guided in the right direction. Through the Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to love God fully, the heart can be aligned with divine purposes, leading to a life that glorifies God and fulfills His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 23:19
Hear you, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the way.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Wail of a Broken Heart
... A little imagination; guided by affection, would have taught Ahimaaz ... and if David
in his anguish should harm him ... the paper of a letter that may break a heart. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the wail of a broken.htm

Impure Zeal
... not the righteousness of God,' and to take heed lest we should be guided by our ... God
declares to have been 'according to all that was in Mine heart,' and it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm

Quotations from the Old Testament in the New.
... glory that should follow," the same "Spirit of Christ" guided them to ... see with the
eyes, and understand with the heart, and be turned, and I should heal them ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxix quotations from the.htm

Whether the Seventh Beatitude Corresponds to the Gift of Wisdom?
... sufficient by himself, he should be guided by the ... to the good." Secondly, that he
should bring to ... neighbor's deficiencies, sympathy in his heart, and succor in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the seventh beatitude corresponds.htm

It is Indeed Better as no one ever could Deny that Men Should...
... to worship God by teaching, than that they should be driven ... But while those are better
who are guided aright by ... say with all the energy of his heart, "My soul ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 6 21 it.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... If he searches them with a heart that is seeking after God then does he ... say so; for
the whole world in all their actings are and should be guided by this ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Introduction
... own conscience as taught, illuminated and guided by the ... be brought, once more, on
to the right lines ... and spoiling the joy with which his heart should always run ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jackson/the message and the man/introduction.htm

Instructions for Fishermen
... the external world, beyond what they have a right to do. ... but always, the waiting
heart is a guided heart, and if ... it is God's will that we should make mistakes ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

Heroes and Heroines (Whitsunday. )
... He guided them where they could not guide themselves ... Yes, in every honest heart there
are longings too deep for ... but as they ought to be, as we should like them ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xiv heroes and heroines.htm

An Old Disciple
... finding that the pillar of cloud, which guided him while ... more honourable is it that
he should have been ... may reasonably believe, with an open heart to welcome ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/an old disciple.htm