The heart is mentioned over 1,000 times in the Bible. It represents the core of our being, from which our thoughts, words, and actions flow. Here are some key Bible verses about the heart and what they reveal:
The heart’s natural state
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
This verse teaches that the natural state of the human heart is corrupted by sin. Left unchecked, the heart is capable of deceit and wickedness.
God examines the heart
“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10)
While the heart in its natural state is deceitful, God sees straight through to the real motives and intentions of our heart.
Out of the heart come our actions
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:19)
This verse teaches that the sins and evil in our lives originate in our heart. What’s in our heart inevitably comes forth in our words, thoughts and deeds.
The heart reflects what we treasure
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Our heart tends to be oriented towards whatever we value most in life – possessions, money, status, relationships, etc. What captures the heart reveals what we truly treasure.
A new heart comes from God
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
While the human heart is naturally hard and rebellious, God promises to give His people new hearts, softened and made alive to follow Him.
Love God with all your heart
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Our greatest calling is to love God with every fiber of our being – heart, soul and strength. He desires our wholehearted devotion.
Guard your heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Since the heart is the wellspring of life, we must be intentional to guard it from corrupting influences, filling it with God’s truth.
A heart fully devoted to God
“I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22)
While David was far from perfect, he sought wholehearted devotion to God. This should be the mark of every believer.
The Lord looks at the heart
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Unlike people, God is not swayed by outward appearances. He cares most about who we really are deep down in our heart.
Purity of heart
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
More than outward religious ritual, God desires hearts cleansed and made holy by the blood of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Undivided loyalty
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)
We should continually ask God to unite our heart solely to Him, not divided among idols or distractions of the world.
A cheerful heart
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13)
Living with our joy rooted in God will radiate outward in a cheerful countenance, while sorrow drains our zest for life.
A generous heart
“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:11)
A heart touched by God’s grace overflows with generosity toward others. We give out of thanksgiving for all God has given us.
Trust God with all your heart
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Rather than self-reliance, God calls us to trust in Him wholeheartedly in every aspect of life and He will lead us on right paths.
God’s Word a lamp for the heart
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
As we soak our hearts in the truth of Scripture, God’s Word guides us through life’s dark valleys and gives wisdom for decisions.
A heart of wisdom
“I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” (1 Kings 3:12)
More valuable than riches or fame is a heart guided by wisdom to discern God’s ways and walk in righteousness and justice.
The heart of worship
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
True worship engages both heart and mind. It flows from hearts in tune with God’s Spirit and grounded in God’s revealed truth.
A repentant heart
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
More than religiosity, God wants hearts truly sorry and humbled over sin, turning from it to seek His forgiveness and restoration.
A steadfast heart
“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)
Despite trials, God desires hearts firmly rooted in Him, consistently pursuing His purposes for our lives.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
When hurt weighs heavy on our hearts, we can find comfort in God’s nearness and the healing hope of His salvation.
A compassionate heart
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
The heart of Christ in us moves us to treat others with gentleness, empathy, mercy and forgiveness.
A sinful heart cleansed
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
God calls us to continually bring our sin-stained hearts to Him to receive His cleansing and renew us in righteousness.
The peace of God guards our hearts
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
As we trust in God, His supernatural peace protects our hearts from anxiety, fear and turmoil.
A heart established by grace
“May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.” (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
It’s by God’s grace through Christ that our wavering hearts can be rooted and established in holiness before God.
In summary, the Bible has a great deal to say about our heart – its natural state of sin, God’s ability to transform it, and its vital role in our words, actions, character, obedience and relationship with God. As Proverbs 4:23 instructs, we must guard our hearts. God examines our hearts above all else. A heart devoted fully to Him is key to walking in His ways.