What is the spiritual heart?

Cognition: Thoughts, Beliefs, and Interpretations

• We think evil in our hearts (Matt 9:4)
• We understand with our hearts (Mark 8:17)
• We reason with our hearts (Luke 9:47)
• We imagine with our hearts (1 Cor 2:9)

Affection: Feelings, Desires, and Values

• We desire in our hearts (Matt 5:28)
• We place value on things in our hearts (Luke 12:34)
• We experience emotions in our hearts (John 14:1, John 14:27, John 16:6, Acts 2:26, Acts 14:17)
  • fear/anxiety, sorrow, gladness

Volition: Intentions, Choices, and Committments

• We behave out of our hearts (Matt 15:8)
• We commit to a course of action out of our hearts (John 13:2)
• We lie with our hearts (Acts 5:3-4)
• We decide with our hearts (Acts 7:23)

Gen 3:1-6, Rom 5:12

Cognition

• Truth is revealed to us (Gen 3:1)
• We sinfully believe lies that are presented to us (Gen 3:4-5)

Affection

• Our desires become sinfully self-centered (Gen 3:6)

Volition

• We commit sinful acts (Gen 3:6)

Rom 5:15-21

Faith in Christ renews our heart so we have the core beliefs, godly desires, and righteous acts we were originally designed to have.

Restored Cognition

• We have the knowledge of God placed into our hearts (2 Cor 4:6)
• We know the truth (1 John 5:20)

Restored Affection

• We desire God (Psa 73:25-26)
• We long for the Lord (1 Pet 2:2)

Restored Volition

• God acts through us (Phil 2:13)
• We produce good works (Eph 2:10)

Come to the remedy, Jesus Christ, and let your life be forever changed.