In the most recent edition of Christian History, the life and work of Lilias Trotter was the focus– a renowned artist and Christian missionary. She lived from 1853 – 1928. One could say she was a “natural” when it came to art. But her real talent was delivering the Good News of Jesus Christ to people in Algeria. As her life unfolded, she reached a “fork in the road,” so to speak. In spite of her health, her decision was (with God’s help) to follow her heart influenced by God’s Word, “Seek ye first . . .” (Matthew 6:33) In essence, her heart was her eyes that directed her path to serve God by serving others. A phrase attributed to J. M. W. Turner, “heartsight as deep as eyesight,” pierced my innermost thoughts and prodded me to study the topic more in detail.
What can the eye see? And what can the heart perceive? Furthermore, can eyesight translate to heartsight? Or perhaps, not every heart image or perception is vision initiated? These and others are questions that only the LORD can answer.
Let’s first take a look at the word “heart” and its references in God’s Word. Sources suggest over nine hundred uses. Eerdman’s Bible Dictionary further elaborates on its use in the Old Testament (“O. T.”) as 854 times. Eerdman’s defines the word in much detail. The heart is, “the seat of affections and intellect…its innermost being…and implies the whole moral nature of fallen humanity.” Most uses of the word in the Hebrew were figurative uses. The Hebrew word for heart is leb, lebab. Leb is defined as inner man, mind, will, and heart. The lebab form includes intellect, thus the center of everything. Interestingly, the word heart and mind have some similarities. 1 Kings 4:29 for example describes Solomon’s wisdom as “breath of understanding (NIV) but in the KJV it is described as “breadth of heart.”
Moses in his Pentateuch says, “love the LORD your God with all your heart…soul…strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5). And the second table of the law is summed up in the phrase, “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18) When our LORD was questioned by a teacher of the law, he asked, “of all the commandments, which is most important?” (Mark 12:28) When Jesus responded, he used the O. T. references listed above – but he added “mind” to the O. T. reference.
I am particularly taken by two O. T. quotes related to the heart and mind. First, we see in 1 Samuel 16 where David is anointed to be the next king of Israel. The LORD has rejected Saul as His king. As Samuel was examining the sons of Jesse, the LORD reminded Samuel that He does not look outwardly, but He “looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) The second reference is in the time of Jeremiah, the prophet. Jeremiah served during Israel’s dark days prior to and during their bondage in Babylonia. In chapter seventeen of his book, we are told that Israel has sinned much – described as being engraved with an iron tool on their hearts. Then, Jeremiah reminds us that the heart is deceitful above all things (17:9). And then in verse ten, we are reminded that the LORD searches the “heart” and examines the “mind.” (17;10)
The Psalms have multiple references to a clean or pure heart, especially those authored by king David. In chapter fifty-one, David says, “create in me a clean (pure) heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Ps. 51:10ff) David indeed was aware of his sinful nature – even in his mother’s womb. He, though sinful, had a contrite heart and was the object of God’s agape love and forgiveness. In another of David’s psalms (57), he says, “my heart is steadfast (firm, unswerving), O God, my heart is steadfast.” (verse seven)
From the O. T. we learn about how God looks at the heart and mind. This type of examination is carried forward to the New Testament (“N. T.”) in the time of Jesus and beyond. In Matthew’s gospel we see the story of Jesus and His Sermon on the Mount. (chapters 5-7) In chapter five, we see a section called the “Beatitudes.” We learn that disciple training is important. Jesus took his disciples and the crowd that followed and began to teach. The first of His teaching was the beatitudes (blessedness) that are contained in eight verses. Verse eight echoes the O.T. as the LORD searches the heart. Here in Matthew He says, “blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Amen. This statement of Jesus was indeed similar to His beloved king David.
St. Paul was added as an apostle following his conversion on the road to Damascus. He was trained in the Word prior to being sent to the Gentile nations with the Good News of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. In his encyclical letter to the church of Ephesus, Paul prays for the believers, that in faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit that “Christ may dwell in their hearts.” (Ephesians 3:17) Paul reminds the church at Ephesus – and you and me today – that those who know the love of God surpasses even the highest level of human knowledge. Yes, the redeemed heart is the dwelling place of Christ.
In St. John’s final verses in his first epistle, he says, “we know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding (heart and mind) so that we may know Him who is true.” (1 John 5:19-20)
As Christians in the 21st century, we need to be vigilant to keep our heart and mind on things above and the LORD’s will for us in Christ Jesus. For we know that we have a renewing of our mind when we come to faith by the gift of the Holy Spirit. With His help, our heart and mind are kept pure and blameless before the throne of God. Thanks be to God for His unfailing love that He gave His one and only Son to be sin for us so that our natural deceitful heart is transformed into dwelling place for the Spirit of God. In conclusion, St. John reminds us to “hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11).
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
Footnote: This writing is dedicated to a great friend who is now with her LORD. Betty Lynn Lauterbach passed on September 2, 2023, just a few months following her husband’s death. Betty and Pastor Gene were two of my most ardent readers of my study notes (blogs). To God be the Glory. Amen and Amen.
