As the heart is the central organ of the human body, so the word heart has come to mean a central location of an organization or system, as well as being used to describe courage and generosity.
noun
the hollow muscular organ that pumps the blood through the circulatory system by rhythmic contraction and dilation. In vertebrates there may be up to four chambers (as in humans), with two atria and two ventricles.
he central or innermost part of something. "right in the heart of the city"
the locus of feelings and intuitions “in your heart you know it is true”
an inclination or tendency of a certain kind “he had a change of heart”
the courage to carry on “you haven't got the heart for baseball”
a positive feeling of liking “the child won everyone's heart”
The heart of the matter is that the condition of the human heart is a key narrative in the Biblical storyline in relation to God's own heart and ache for His prized creation. Consider these "core" observations and prompts in the journey of your own faith.
Genesis 6:5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.
Genesis 6:6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.
Genesis 8:21 The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Deuteronomy 11:18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
1 Samuel 12:24 But be sure to fear t he Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Psalm 13:5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
Psalm 16:7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalm 27:3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 33:11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 61:2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
Psalm 119:36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Proverbs 2:10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 11:20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
Proverbs 21:2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 22:37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
Mark 7:20-22 “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
Luke 6:45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.