Proverbs is a very practical book, not only letting us know the type of heart we should have and why it is important but also what produces the kind of heart you have.
Look at the following verses and you will be able to note how God uses instruction and discipline in the shaping of our hearts.
- turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— (Prov. 2:2)
- For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. … Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (Prov. 2:6-10)
- My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, (Prov. 3:1)
- Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. (Prov. 3:3)
- Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. (Prov. 4:4)
- My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; (Prov. 4:20-21)
- You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! (Prov. 5:12)
- My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. (Prov. 6:20-21)
- Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Prov. 7:2-3)
- Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. (Prov. 12:25)
- Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (Prov. 14:33)
- The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (Prov. 15:28)
- Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Prov. 18:12)
- The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. (Prov. 18:15)
- Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. (Prov. 22:15)
- Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you. (Prov. 22:17-19)
- Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. (Prov. 23:12)
- Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. (Prov. 23:17)
- Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: (Prov. 23:19)
- applied my heart to what I observed (Prov. 24:32)
You can also see that some of the instruction and discipline needed to have a good heart comes through God’s Word but some is also parental nurturing. And, we must have an active role in the process, being diligent and purposeful in pursuing this kind of heart with a humble, teachable attitude.
my mom says i don’t have a good heart
Hi Jill! Perhaps your mom is basing her assessment of your heart off of what she sees you doing or attitudes you might be exhibiting. Or, maybe she’s using the things you say. — “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Lk. 6:45) — People can only make judgments about us based on what we do or say. God, however, actually sees what’s in our hearts, not just outward evidence. So, ultimately, only God truly knows what’s in our heart. He not only sees what we do but He also knows why we do it, our motives (1 Cor. 4:5; Prov. 21:2). Let me encourage you to pray the prayer in Psalm 139:23-24. — “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” — God is not only the One who truly knows our heart but He is also the only One who can truly change our hearts. Keep looking to Him to help you.