The physical organ that pumps blood throughout our bodies is not what we mean when we refer to the heart in the Bible. Instead, we are referring to the spiritual core of our being, which is the location of our thoughts, feelings, and will. The Bible talks about several heart types that can either bind us to God or keep us off from Him. We shall look at the many heart types described in the Bible in this post.
The Heart in the Parable of the Sower
Jesus frequently used parables to convey spiritual truths, and the Parable of the Sower is among His most well-known parables (Matthew 13:1-23). Jesus tells a parable about a farmer who plants seeds on four sorts of soil, each of which represents a different kind of heart. It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of the heart in this tale because Jesus makes it abundantly plain that our response to the gospel depends on the state of our hearts.
Different Types of Soil
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talks about four different types of soil:
- The hard soil that represents a hard heart that is closed off to God’s Word (Matthew 13:4, 19).
- The rocky soil that represents a shallow heart that receives the Word with joy but lacks roots and falls away in times of trouble (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21).
- The thorny soil that represents a heart that is choked by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, making it unfruitful (Matthew 13:7, 22).
- The good soil that represents a heart that receives the Word, understands it, and produces much fruit (Matthew 13:8, 23).
10 Different Types of Heart According to the Bible
The Bible describes a number of different heart types, each with unique traits and outcomes. Let’s examine them in greater detail:
1. The Good Heart
The heart that is open to God’s Word and produces a lot of fruit is said to have a healthy heart. The heart is what is receptive to the operation of the Holy Spirit and willing to carry out God’s desire. Even though the virtuous heart is not flawless, it is always ready to confess its errors and ask God for forgiveness.
- “But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matt. 13:23
2. The Hardened Heart
The heart that has become hardened is one that is resistant to change and closes off to God’s Word. It is the heart that refuses to turn from sin and accept forgiveness. The effect of consistently rejecting God’s grace is a hardened heart, which causes spiritual blindness and a lack of awareness of God’s truth.
Yet, the metaphor of the seed dropping on rough ground alludes to someone who hears the message and immediately responds with gladness. Yet, they only last a short time since they lack a root. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” – Matt. 13:20–21
3. The Deceitful Heart
The heart that is full of deceit and prone to immorality is said to have a deceitful heart. The heart is the area most susceptible to temptation and seduction from one’s own wants. A life of dishonesty and unrighteousness is the result of the deceitful heart, which is characterized by a lack of integrity and honesty.
- The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9–10
4. The Divided Heart
The heart that struggles between serving God and serving self is said to have a divided heart. It is the heart that is contradictory and erratic in all of its actions. Lack of commitment causes the divided heart, which results in a life of uncertainty and indecision.
But when you ask, you must have faith and not harbor questions, for the person harboring doubts is like a wave of the sea that is tossed and driven by the wind. That person shouldn’t anticipate the Lord sending them anything. Such a person exhibits instability and duplicity in everything they do. – James 1:6-8*
5. The Broken Heart
The broken heart is the heart that has to be healed since it has been damaged by sin. It is the heart that recognizes its need for God’s mercy and grace and is contrite and humble before Him. A profound sense of grief for sin and a strong desire to repent define the broken heart.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
6. The Proud Heart
The heart that is filled with pride and self-importance is the proud heart. The heart that elevates itself above others and rejects to bow to God’s rule is the problem. The arrogance and lack of humility that come from a proud heart.
- “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” Verse: Proverbs 16:18
7. The Uncircumcised Heart
The heart that is uncircumcised is the one that is resistant to change and hardened to God’s Message. It is the heart that exhibits disobedience and rebellion and is unwilling to submit to God’s will.
- “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.” Deuteronomy 10:16
8. The Fearful Heart
The fearful heart is the heart that is filled with fear and anxiety. It is the heart that lacks faith and is not putting its confidence in God’s promises.
God did not give us a spirit of fear, but one that is full of power, love, and a sound mind. (2) Timothy 1:17
9. The Rebellious Heart
The heart that rebels against God’s authority and is not submissive is said to have a rebellious heart. The refusal to follow God’s instructions comes from the heart, which breeds disobedience and rebellion.
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” – 1 Samuel 15:23
10. The Wicked Heart
The heart that is evil and wicked is the wicked heart. It is the heart that exhibits a love of sin and a disregard for God’s laws. Living an unjust and rebellious life is the result of having a wicked heart.
- “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind.
How To Guard Your Heart & Walk in Purity
For the Christian, having a healthy heart is crucial because it provides the basis for bearing spiritual fruit and leading a God-honoring life. Humility, faith, and obedience to God’s precepts are qualities of a healthy heart. It is a heart that is prepared to turn to God in repentance and ask for pardon when it errs.
Protect Your Eyes and Ears
One of the most important ways to guard our heart is to be careful about what we allow into our minds through our eyes and ears. The things we watch, read, and listen to can have a significant impact on our thought life and ultimately our heart. As Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
To protect our heart, we must be intentional about seeking out things that will nourish our soul and avoid things that will lead us astray. This means being selective about the movies we watch, the books we read, and the music we listen to. We must be aware of the impact these things have on our thought life and guard ourselves against anything that would lead us away from God.
Take Every Thought Captive
Another essential way to guard our heart is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This means being aware of the thoughts that enter our mind and actively rejecting those that do not align with God’s truth.
As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” By doing this, we can prevent our thoughts from leading us down a path of sin and destruction.
To take every thought captive, we must be diligent in our thought life. We must be aware of the things that trigger negative thoughts and avoid them. We must also be intentional about filling our minds with God’s truth by reading the Bible and meditating on His Word.
Put on the Full Armor of God
In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul instructs us to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. The armor consists of the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Each piece of the armor has a specific purpose in protecting us from the attacks of the enemy. The belt of truth helps us to stand firm in God’s truth, the breastplate of righteousness protects our heart and soul, the shoes of peace equip us to walk in peace and share the Gospel, the shield of faith protects us from the fiery darts of the enemy, the helmet of salvation protects our minds and thoughts, and the sword of the Spirit is the offensive weapon we use to fight against the enemy. By putting on the full armor of God, we can defend ourselves against the attacks of the enemy and guard our heart against sin and temptation.
Stay Filled with God’s Word
One of the most effective ways to guard our heart is to be filled with the Word of God. As we read and meditate on Scripture, it transforms our mind and renews our heart, leading us to live a life that honors God. In fact, the Psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” By memorizing and internalizing God’s Word, we can guard our heart against sin and be transformed from the inside out.
Not only does the Word of God help us guard our heart, but it also helps us to discern between right and wrong. As Hebrews 4:12 says, “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.” By filling our minds and hearts with God’s Word, we can be better equipped to discern between good and evil, and avoid falling into sin and temptation.
In addition, being filled with the Word of God helps us to stay rooted and grounded in our faith. As Colossians 2:6-7 says, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” By immersing ourselves in the Word of God, we can deepen our relationship with Him and grow in our faith.
Praying for a Pure Heart
Prayer is a powerful tool in our spiritual arsenal, and it is crucial to cultivate a pure heart. As we pray for a pure heart, we acknowledge our need for God’s grace and submit ourselves to His will. One powerful prayer for a pure heart is found in Psalm 139:23-24, where David says, “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.”
By praying this prayer, we invite God to search our hearts and reveal any areas of sin or impurity. We ask Him to purify us and lead us in the way of righteousness. It is essential to make prayer a regular part of our lives, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom as we strive to cultivate a pure heart.
Conclusion
In conclusion, guarding our heart with all diligence is essential for our spiritual well-being. We must be intentional about protecting our eyes and ears, taking every thought captive, putting on the armor of God, being filled with the Word, and praying for a pure heart. By doing so, we can cultivate a heart that is receptive to God’s Word and bears much fruit, leading us to live a life that honors Him.
Very inspiring article..it has really helped me in my research on different types of hearts.
Thank you for this article. I am really helped as I was searching on knowing God deeper sermon. The heart of man determines our depth in knowing God. I ask permission to use this in my sermons this year. GOD bless you.
Sure. No problem 🙂
This is an awesome article
Very insightful and powerful. It helped me search my hearts and thoughts against the words of God. Praying for a pure heart and being filled with the words of God are essential. God bless you!
Searching Why do you speak to them in parables and The Sower and the seed. To hear more of the types of hearts depths and reference the path, the rocks he was getting ready to scatter seed the joy the patch of thorns power and control and on the good soil something more important then luck would have it according to the sower.
So I take it that our spiritual heart is our soul which is God’s breath of life in our nostrils and the most important part of our spirit which is our conscience. Please confirm, thank you.
Thanks for the wonderful and well known understanding about the character of the ”HEarT””