February is National Heart Awareness Month. It is meant to cause the nation to take note of the seriousness of heart disease and to be reminded about those things that promote heart health. It is wise in a spiritual sense to take time and do the same relative to our spiritual hearts. This is what this study is designed to do.

2. Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is
the wellspring of life.”

3. It Is the Center of Our True Self
It Is the Center of Our Emotions
It Is the Center of Our Spiritual Life
It Has a Capacity for Great Evil
It Is Where the Word Is Sown
Is Where We Must Believe for Salvation
Is Where God Dwells Within Us

4. It Is the Center of
Our True Self
Where decisions are made, Luke 8:14-15
Luke 8:14-15 (NIV2011) 14 The seed that fell among thorns
stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by
life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed
on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the
word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

5. Where true thoughts and character
reside, Mat 12:33-34
Matthew 12:34-35 (NIV2011) 34 You brood of vipers,
how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks
what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the
good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the
evil stored up in him.

6. It Is the Center of
Our Emotions
Joy
Psalm 28:6-7 (NIV2011) 6 Praise be to the LORD, for he
has heard my cry for mercy. 7 The LORD is my strength and my
shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.

7. Fear
Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV2011) 1 The LORD is my light and my
salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of
whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked advance against me to devour
me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3 Though an
army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

8. Discouragement, Anxiety
John 14:1-3 (NIV2011) 1 “Do not let your hearts be
troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house
has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am
going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you
also may be where I am.

9. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV2011) 6 Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.

10. Sorrow
John 16:19-20, 22 (NIV2011) 19 Jesus saw that they
wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one
another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no
more, and then after a little while you will see me’?

11. 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world
rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy…22 So with
you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and [Gk.,
“your heart”] will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

12. Hate
Leviticus 19:17-18 (NIV2011) 17 “ ‘Do not hate a fellow
Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not
share in their guilt. 18 “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against
anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am
the LORD.

13. 1 John 4:19-21 (NIV2011) 19 We love because he first loved us.
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For
whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot
love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command:
Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV2011) 43 “You have heard that it was
said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children
of your Father in heaven.

14. Jealousy
James 3:13-14 (NASB) 13 Who among you is wise and
understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the
gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish
ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the
truth…16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is
disorder and every evil thing.

15. Love
Proverbs 3:3-6 (NIV2011) 3 Let love and faithfulness never
leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your
heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and
man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your
paths straight.

16. Mark 12:29-31 (NIV2011) 29 Jesus [said],“The most
important [command]is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God,
the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no
commandment greater than these.”