Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
Our multi-year journey through the NIV 84, looking at verses containing 'heart/ hearts' has finally brought us to the New Testament. And, as it turns out, the first mention of Heart/hearts happens Chapter 5, so today we're looking at Heart/ Hearts in Matthew's presentation of the Sermon on the Mount.
Blessed is the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matt 5:8; 'heart' is Strong's G2588, Kardia - the heart, the organ...which is the center of the circulation of the blood...the seat of physical life; the center of all physical and spiritual life.
In this case, I think it's pretty obvious that this is referring to spiritual purity...a heart that is free from ethical and moral corruption, mixed motives, self deceit; one that is blameless and innocent. 'See', according to Mr. Strong, is a word that indicates 'to gaze with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable' . So, while I feel this also applies to seeing God work around us, I honestly believe this is a reference to actually beholding God, at the very least, in the next life. But maybe Jesus was also referring to his immediate audience...that the pure in heart would recognize God when they see him. But here's the takeaway...the ability to see/ recognize/ perceive God is dependent upon the state of the heart
Which kinda contrasts with the next verse...
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. - Matt 5:28; 'Heart' is G2588 again.
You do realize that Jesus wasn't just talking about adultery here, right? That it was an example of the concept. Now, I don't think this is referring to a random thought that pops into the mind...it's the consideration, entertaining one's mind with the forbidden thing. Imagining it. Wondering if there's some way to make it happen. The progression we have talked about in other posts...'I saw...I coveted...I took...I hid'. Coveting is what happens when one actually considers taking the the thing, and that's where the sin starts, and I think that's why Jesus hit that point so hard. If repentance happens at that stage, then the taking and hiding never happen. Thinking about it...obsessing over it...committing the action at the heart level...is where the actual rebellion happens. It's a very small step from that to actually doing the thing. It starts in the heart.
This leads right into
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -- Matt. 6:21; 'Heart' is, once more, G2588.
What is desired shows where the heart is. And where the heart is matters.
There's a whole sermon in just those three verses.
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