The word heart in the Bible can represent either the soul or the spirit of a person, depending on the context in which it’s used.
Since human language often lacks precise terms to fully describe invisible, spiritual realities—like the soul or the spirit—scripture frequently uses symbolic or metaphorical language to convey these truths. One such metaphor is the use of the heart to represent the inner man.
Just as we sometimes say “the hand of God did this” to mean “God’s power accomplished this”, even though God is spirit and does not possess a literal hand (John 4:24), the Bible uses the human heart to represent unseen inner faculties like thoughts, emotions, desires, will, and spiritual awareness.
In most cases, the heart refers broadly to the inner person—a combination of the soul (mind, will, emotions) and sometimes the spirit (the God-conscious part of man). For example, instead of saying, “My soul is sorrowful,” one might say, “My heart is sorrowful.” The meaning remains the same, but the word heart makes the concept more relatable.
Why Does the Bible Use the Word “Heart” Instead of Other Organs Like the Kidney or Liver?
Physiologically, the heart is the organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It’s also highly responsive to external stimuli. For instance:
-
When you’re frightened, your heartbeat increases.
-
When you’re at peace, your heartbeat slows.
Other organs like the liver or kidneys don’t visibly or immediately respond to emotions in the same way. This is why the heart is a fitting symbol for the inner man—it reacts, it feels, it sustains life, and it connects the physical with the emotional and spiritual. In a way, the heart is like a second person living inside the body.
Thus, in the Bible, the heart becomes a symbolic bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, representing the seat of human consciousness and moral awareness (Hebrews 4:12).
So whenever you come across the word “heart” in Scripture, understand that it is often a metaphor for either the soul or the spirit, or both.
For a deeper understanding, we distinguish the components of man as:
-
Body – the physical vessel
-
Soul – mind, will, emotions (self-consciousness)
-
Spirit – the part of man that communicates with God (God-consciousness)
Paul makes this clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NKJV):
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Where Is Your Heart Today?
Jesus said in Matthew 6:21 (NKJV):
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
This means that your heart will always follow what you value most. If your treasure is in earthly pleasures, fame, money, fashion, or entertainment, your heart is tied to the world.
But the Bible warns us:
James 4:4 (NKJV):
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Loving the world makes you an enemy of God—even if you don’t say it with your lips. Your lifestyle speaks louder than your words. If your delight is in worldly fashion, sensuality, entertainment, or sports obsession, then your heart is not with God.
And Scripture is clear about the end of God’s enemies:
Luke 19:27 (NKJV):
“But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.”
This is why repentance is urgent and essential.
Today Is the Day of Salvation
Jesus is calling you today. The door of grace is still open—but it won’t remain open forever. One day, the Rapture will occur, and after that, the world will enter a time of great tribulation (Matthew 24:21), followed by divine judgment as seen in Revelation 16—the pouring out of the seven bowls of God’s wrath.
If you are ready to receive Jesus today, you can do so by:
-
Repenting of your sins – Confess and turn away from them.
-
Abandoning all worldly attachments – Leave behind the lifestyle that draws your heart away from God.
-
Receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior – Surrender to Him fully.
-
Being baptized according to Scripture – That is, through full immersion in water and in the name of Jesus Christ, as the apostles taught.
Acts 2:38 (NKJV):
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
Final Exhortation
Where is your heart today? With God—or with the world?
If it’s with God, stay rooted. If it’s with the world, it’s time to return before the door of grace is closed.
Hebrews 3:15 (NKJV):
“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
May the Lord bless you and guide you into the fullness of truth and salvation in Jesus Christ.
About the author