The book of Proverbs speaks much about the heart, contrasting different kinds of hearts.
One type of heart is filled with goodness characterized as:
cheerful heart (Prov. 15:15; 17:22)
discerning heart (Prov. 15:14)
happy heart (Prov. 15:13)
peaceful heart (Prov. 14:30)
pure heart (Prov. 20:9; 22:11)
trusting heart (Prov. 3:5-6)
wise heart (Prov. 10:8; 16:21; 23:15)
The other kind of heart is filled with foolishness characterized as:
corrupt heart (Prov. 17:20)
deceitful heart (Prov. 6:14)
evil heart (Prov. 26:23)
hardened heart (Prov. 28:14)
haughty heart(Prov. 18:12)
lusting heart (Prov. 6:25)
proud heart (Prov. 16:5; 21:4)
heart that devises wicked schemes (Prov. 6:18)
heart that rages against the LORD (Prov. 19:3)
Yet another heart is filled with burdens characterized as:
heavy heart (Prov. 25:20)
sick heart (Prov. 13:12)
The Type of Heart You Have Matters
The book of Proverbs provides a number of verses that let us know why the kind of heart we have matters.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Prov. 4:23)
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. (Prov. 17:3)
A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Prov. 21:2)
As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart. (Prov. 27:19)
For a good study, take some time to look up the verses listed above under each type of heart. You will find consequences that affect and influence not only your own life but sometimes the lives of others. The type of heart you have does matter!
What’s a sick heart?
The best way to answer your question, Susie, is to look at the original Hebrew word used in Proverbs 13:12 — chalah. In addition to sick, diseased, or ill, it can signify weak, tired, wounded, or grieving. Also, look at the verse itself — “Hope deferred makes the heart sick …” This is a person who doesn’t sense much hope at the moment.
Could you please explain how David was a man after God’s own heart? After reading your article on, “what type of heart do you have?” I couldn’t quite work out where David’s heart fits in here. Regards Beth
Beth, this post looked at heart traits described in the book of Proverbs. It wasn’t intended to specifically describe David’s heart. However, certainly any good traits promoted in God’s Word as those that should be in our hearts, would reflect the heart of God.
Indeed, David did have a good heart. In Psalm 78:70-72 we read that, as king, he shepherded the people “with integrity of heart” which would describe a heart full of goodness. A good heart is one that would tend to seek to do God’s will. We see this concept in Acts 13:22 where God identifies David this way: “a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” Elsewhere we read, “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)
I really love your lessons God richly blessed you
Good evening I was very pleased about the heart, because I realized everyone heart is different. I was interested in people say God is in there heart, but is he really in your heart, if so how do you perceive that? I was truly love your encouragement allow God continue to use you as you walk with him. I’m a true believer if you believe you will receive. Amen! May God’s blessings continue to stay upon you and your family. Amen! Amen! Amen!
Thank you Gwenette. May God bless you and your loved ones as well! Often what’s truly inside comes out and so we can look at that but in the final analysis, only God truly knows what’s in a person’s heart (Prov. 21:2; 1 Cor. 4:5). We can even deceive ourselves about what’s truly in our own hearts which is why it’s so important for us as believers to pray similar to the psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24. — “Search me, O 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.” — Or like 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.”
Thanks for the knowledge and wisdom God has passed on to you. Another question, about heart again, how many times is the heart mentioned in the new testament as well as the old? I keep getting different numbers I want more facts they say the impossible can always be possible Amen!
The Last number was heart in nkjv heart is used 862 times or is it more like 1000?
You are welcome, Gwenette. I believe the 800-1000 number is for the entire Bible. You’ll find differing numbers of the English word “heart” because of different translations. If you look at the Greek word most used for heart in the New Testament, kardia, I believe you’ll find it only about 160 times. Another Greek word used for heart sometimes is psyche (i.e., in Eph. 6:6) but that word is not always translated heart. Because of these variables, it is difficult for me to give you a precise answer to your question.
You know as people sometimes we want to believe a title is everything, to find out a reality check is God is our real leader. I always said I was a leader not understanding God is a true leader of us all. I want to be what God wants me to be not what I believe I desire to be is God the sheep and I am the shepherd because he is the leader of us all he is the title of direction, his perfection is correction
Yes, Gwenette, God truly is the real leader. He does provide the spiritual gift of leadership to some people but what we need to understand is that even in exercising that gift, it is God’s power at work through us. This is why we must guard our hearts (Prov. 4:23) to keep it humble and yielded to Him.
Very nice for seeker for good heart.thanks.
Hello, Raghunandan Oraon. Yes, it’s important for seekers to understand right from the start that God is most concerned about the heart. And, it is also important for all believers, no matter how long we’ve known the Lord, to keep the focus on the heart “for everything you do flows from it.” (Prov. 4:23)