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Matthew 12:34 |
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O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Note 3 at Mt. 12:34: The word "heart" is used 821 times in the Bible. The plural is used 112 times and variations such as heartily, brokenhearted, etc., are used 26 times. There are less than 20 references where the word "heart" is referring to our physical organ that pumps blood (Examples: 2 Sam. 18:14; 2 Ki. 9:24).
The dominant words for heart are (1) in the Old Testament Hebrew, "leb," and (2) in the New Testament Greek, "kardia." Both of these words signify the chief organ of physical life, but as has already been mentioned, they are used mainly to denote the inward mental and moral makeup of man (1 Sam. 16:7).
Some of the things scripture describes as part of our heart are (1) imagination of thought (Gen. 6:5; 8:21; 1 Chr. 29:18; Prov. 6:18); (2) conscience (1 Sam. 24:5; Acts 2:37; Rom. 2:15; Heb. 10:22; 1 Jn. 3:20-21); (3) wisdom and understanding (1 Ki. 3:9,12; 4:29; Prov. 10:8; 11:29; 14:33; 23:15); (4) pride (2 Ki. 14:10; 2 Chr. 26:16; Ps. 101:5; Prov. 16:18 with 18:12; 28:25; Jer. 49:16); (5) gladness or joy (Ps. 4:7; Prov. 15:13,15; Isa. 65:14; Jn. 16:22; Acts 14:17; Eph. 5:19); (6) fear (1 Sam. 28:5); (7) mischief (Ps. 28:3; 140:2; Prov. 6:14); (8) broken heart (Ps. 34:18; 51:17); (9) iniquity (Ps. 66:18); (10) the issues of life (Prov. 4:23);
(11) subtlety (Prov. 7:10); (12) foolishness (Prov. 12:23; 22:15); (13) sorrow (Prov. 15:13; Isa. 65:14; Jn. 14:1; 16:6; Rom. 9:2; 2 Cor. 2:4); (14) rebellion (Jer. 5:23); (15) deceit and wickedness (Jer. 17:9); (16) pureness (Mt. 5:8); (17) sin (Mt. 15:19; Mk. 7:21; Acts 5:3); (18) faith (Lk. 24:25; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 10:22); (19) love (Mk. 12:33; Lk. 10:27; Rom. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:5; 1 Pet. 1:22); (20) unbelief (Mk. 11:23; Heb. 3:12); (21) desires (Ps. 37:4; Mt. 5:28; 2 Pet. 2:14).
Our spirit is definitely a part of our heart (Rom. 2:29; 2 Cor. 1:22; Gal. 4:6; Eph. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:4), but as seen in 1 Peter 3:4, it is only a part. Sin, iniquity, unbelief, etc., come from the heart but not the born-again spirit. Hebrews 4:12 suggests that spirit and soul are both part of the heart; hence, the scriptures admonish us to believe with all our heart (Acts 8:37), have singleness of heart (Col. 3:22), and tell us our hearts can have two minds or ways of thinking (Jas. 4:8).
Therefore, the term "heart" can include all of the inner man--spirit, soul, or any portion thereof.
