Definition: In the Bible, the “heart” is not merely a physical organ but a central metaphor for the inner life of a person, encompassing thoughts, emotions, will, desires, and moral character. The heart is seen as the core of human existence, from which flow decisions, actions, and attitudes. The Bible often refers to the heart as the center of one’s spiritual and moral life, responsible for guiding behavior and determining one’s relationship with God.
Aspects of the Heart in the Bible:
- The Heart as the Seat of Thoughts and Intentions: The Bible often describes the heart as the center of a person’s thinking and decision-making. It is where thoughts, intentions, and plans originate.
- Scripture: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)
- Scripture: “The LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)
- The Heart as the Source of Emotions: The heart is also depicted as the source of emotions, both positive and negative. Joy, sorrow, fear, love, and bitterness are all attributed to the heart.
- Scripture: “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (Proverbs 15:13)
- Scripture: “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
- The Heart as the Center of Moral and Spiritual Life: The heart is central to a person’s moral and spiritual life. It can be righteous or wicked, soft or hardened, pure or defiled. It is from the heart that moral actions flow.
- Scripture: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
- Scripture: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
- The Heart and Its Relationship with God: The heart is where a person connects with God. It is either responsive to God or resistant to Him. God desires a heart that seeks Him sincerely, not just outward religious acts.
- Scripture: “The LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
- Scripture: “And thou shalt seek me, and find me, when thou shalt search for me with all thy heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
- The Deceitfulness of the Heart: The Bible also warns that the heart can be deceitful and sinful. It is not always a reliable guide because it can be influenced by sin, leading people away from God.
- Scripture: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
- Scripture: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders…” (Mark 7:21-22)
- The Heart’s Need for Transformation: Because the heart can be deceitful and sinful, the Bible emphasizes the need for heart transformation through God’s power. God promises to give people new hearts that are responsive to Him.
- Scripture: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
- Scripture: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
In the Bible, the heart is the core of a person’s being—spiritually, emotionally, and morally. It is the center of thoughts, desires, and intentions. God looks at the heart, seeking sincerity, purity, and devotion to Him. The heart can be deceitful and needs constant renewal and transformation through God’s grace. Biblically, the heart defines who we truly are, and it is the place where we encounter God and where our relationship with Him is cultivated.
Key Scriptures About the Heart:
- Proverbs 4:23: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
- Prayer Point: Pray for the grace to guard your heart from negative influences and for the wisdom to keep it focused on God.
- Jeremiah 17:9: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”
- Prayer Point: Pray for God’s discernment and cleansing in your heart, asking Him to reveal any deceit and wickedness that may be hidden.
- Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
- Prayer Point: Ask God to cleanse your heart and renew your spirit daily, helping you walk in righteousness.
- Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
- Prayer Point: Pray for purity of heart so that you may experience God’s presence and see His hand at work in your life.
- Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
- Prayer Point: Ask God for the strength and faith to trust Him fully, surrendering your own understanding for His wisdom.
- Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”
- Prayer Point: Pray for a transformation of heart, that God would replace any hardness with softness, sensitivity, and responsiveness to His will.
- Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- Prayer Point: Pray for the peace of God to guard your heart and mind, keeping you centered in Christ despite life’s challenges.
- Psalm 37:4: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
- Prayer Point: Pray that as you delight in the Lord, He would align your heart’s desires with His will and grant them according to His timing.
- Proverbs 21:2: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
- Prayer Point: Ask God to search and examine your heart, revealing any areas where you might be self-deceived and bringing you into alignment with His truth.
- Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Prayer Point: Pray for God to search your heart, reveal any sinful tendencies, and guide you on the path of everlasting life.
Additional Prayer Points with Scriptures
- For a Pure Heart:
- Scripture: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
- Prayer: Lord, create in me a clean heart. Purify me from all unrighteousness and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
- For Discernment:
- Scripture: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
- Prayer: Father, grant me discernment and wisdom to see my heart as You see it. Cleanse me from deceit and guide me in Your truth.
- For Trusting God:
- Scripture: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
- Prayer: Lord, I place my trust in You with all my heart. Help me to lean not on my own understanding, but on Your divine wisdom.
- For God’s Peace:
- Scripture: “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
- Prayer: Father, I pray for Your peace to guard my heart and mind. Let Your peace overshadow every worry and anxiety in my life.
- For a Heart After God’s Will:
- Scripture: “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
- Prayer: Lord, as I delight in You, align the desires of my heart with Your perfect will. Fulfill Your promises in my life.
These scriptures and prayer points can serve as a guide to help you keep your heart aligned with God’s will and His peace.
How to Soften Heart?
Softening your heart, especially in a spiritual sense, involves making it more receptive to God, more compassionate towards others, and more humble. The Bible offers several ways to soften your heart, and these can be combined with prayer, reflection, and action. Here are some practical steps based on biblical principles:
1. Prayer for a Soft Heart
- Scripture: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
- Action: Pray specifically for God to replace any hardness in your heart with a heart that is soft, compassionate, and responsive to Him. Ask Him to remove pride, bitterness, and unforgiveness that might harden your heart.
Prayer Example: “Heavenly Father, I ask that You soften my heart. Remove any hardness, bitterness, or anger that may have taken root. Replace it with a heart of flesh that is sensitive to Your voice, compassionate towards others, and open to Your leading. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
2. Repentance and Humility
- Scripture: “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” (Hebrews 3:8)
- Action: Examine your heart for any areas of pride, stubbornness, or sin that may be hardening it. Repent of these areas, and ask God to cleanse you. Humility is key to softening your heart—acknowledge your need for God’s help and guidance.
Prayer Example: “Lord, I repent of any pride or sin that has caused my heart to grow hard. Help me to be humble and to submit to Your correction and guidance. Soften my heart and make me more like You.”
3. Forgiveness
- Scripture: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
- Action: Forgiving others is a powerful way to soften your heart. Holding onto bitterness and unforgiveness hardens your heart, but when you choose to forgive, you allow God to heal and soften it.
Prayer Example: “Father, help me to forgive those who have wronged me. I release any bitterness or resentment I may be holding onto, and I ask You to soften my heart towards those people. Teach me to love as You love.”
4. Meditate on God’s Word
- Scripture: “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit… and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
- Action: Regularly reading and meditating on Scripture can soften your heart by allowing God’s Word to penetrate and transform your inner being. Reflect on passages that challenge you to grow in love, patience, and humility.
Prayer Example: “Lord, as I meditate on Your Word, let it transform my heart. Speak to me through the Scriptures and reveal areas in my life where I need to change. Let Your Word soften my heart and make me more like Christ.”
5. Spend Time in God’s Presence
- Scripture: “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)
- Action: Spend time in worship, prayer, and silence before God. Being in His presence allows Him to work on your heart. As you draw near to God, He draws near to you (James 4:8), and this intimacy softens your heart.
Prayer Example: “Lord, as I come into Your presence, I ask that You soften my heart. Let my time with You shape me, mold me, and make me more compassionate, patient, and loving.”
6. Show Compassion to Others
- Scripture: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” (1 Peter 3:8)
- Action: Engage in acts of kindness and compassion towards others. When you actively practice empathy and compassion, your heart becomes more tender and aligned with God’s love for people.
Prayer Example: “Father, help me to show compassion to others, especially those who are difficult to love. Let my actions reflect Your love, and use these opportunities to soften my heart and make me more like Jesus.”
7. Obedience to God
- Scripture: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
- Action: Obedience to God’s commands softens the heart because it aligns your will with His. Even when it’s difficult, choose to obey God in all areas of life. As you submit to His will, He will work on your heart and make it more responsive to Him.
Prayer Example: “Lord, help me to obey You even when it’s hard. I surrender my will to Yours. As I walk in obedience, soften my heart and make me more sensitive to Your voice.”
8. Seek Healing for Emotional Wounds
- Scripture: “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
- Action: Sometimes a hardened heart is the result of emotional pain and trauma. Seek healing from God for any wounds that may be causing your heart to harden. This might also involve seeking wise counsel, prayer from others, or professional help.
Prayer Example: “Heavenly Father, I bring my broken heart to You. Heal the wounds that have caused me pain and bitterness. Restore my heart and help me to love freely again. Soften my heart and make it whole in Your presence.”
By applying these principles and praying earnestly, you can invite God to soften your heart, making it more compassionate, tender, and aligned with His will.