In American society, the heart usually means our emotions. Biblically, the term is much richer. Elyse Fitzpatrick’s book Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone shows that the heart consists of our mind (thoughts, beliefs, understandings, memories, judgments, conscience, and discernment), affections (longings, desires, feelings, imaginations, and emotions), and will (the part of us that chooses what actions we take). Thus the heart is the inner person. The will is especially important when studying forgiveness from the heart. Consider the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:21-35.
Then Peter came and said to Him (Jesus), “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents (billions of dollars) was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and
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