Heart
How does the Bible show that the figurative heart is the inner person, including thoughts, intentions, qualities, and emotions?
Ps 49:3; Pr 16:9; Lu 5:22; Ac 2:26
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Lu 9:46-48—Jesus corrects his apostles for the ambitious spirit he sees in their hearts
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Why is it vital that we safeguard our heart?
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Ge 6:5-7—The wickedness in man’s heart leads to violence and causes God to bring a global Flood
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1Ki 11:1-10—King Solomon fails to protect his heart, marrying foreign wives who incline his heart away from Jehovah
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Mr 7:18-23—Jesus explains that the heart is the source of all that can defile a man in God’s eyes
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How can we protect our heart?
Ps 19:14; Pr 3:3-6; Lu 21:34; Php 4:8
See also Ezr 7:8-10; Ps 119:11
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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Eph 6:14-18; 1Th 5:8—In describing the spiritual armor, the apostle Paul explains that righteousness, faith, and love can protect the figurative heart just as the breastplate protects the literal heart
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How can we know if there is a problem with our figurative heart?
See also Pr 6:12-14
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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2Ch 25:1, 2, 17-27—For a while, King Amaziah does what is right in God’s eyes but not with a complete heart; in time, he becomes arrogant and unfaithful and suffers the consequences
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Mt 7:17-20—Jesus shows that just as a bad tree produces bad fruit, a bad heart condition produces bad conduct
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Why should we cultivate a good heart, and how can we do so?
See also Ps 119:97, 104; Ro 12:9-16; 1Ti 1:5
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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2Ki 20:1-6—When facing death, King Hezekiah implores Jehovah for mercy on the basis of having served Him with a complete heart
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Mt 21:28-32—Jesus uses an illustration to show that a man’s heart condition is revealed by what he does, more so than by what he says he will do
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Why is it reassuring to know that Jehovah examines our heart?
See also 1Sa 2:3
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Relevant Bible account(s):
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1Sa 16:1-13—The prophet Samuel learns that Jehovah is not swayed by outward appearances; rather, He sees into a person’s heart
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2Ch 6:28-31—King Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of Jehovah’s temple shows that God reads the human heart mercifully and accurately
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