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The heart is often referred to in scripture as the seat of the affections and of the passions, also of wisdom and understanding — hence we read of 'the wise in heart,' also the Lord gave to Solomon 'a wise and
understanding heart.' It is the centre of a man's being. But before the deluge God's verdict of man was that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen. 6: 5. A similar verdict is found in Gen. 8: 21, after Noah came out of the ark. And the Lord said, Out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts and every form of wickedness. Mark 7: 21. The law required man to love God with all his heart. The reception of the gospel must be in the heart, Rom. 10: 9; and God enables a hearer to receive the good news in 'an honest and good heart,' upon which there is fruit. Luke 8: 15. In new creation there is a 'pure heart,' the Christian being led by the Holy Spirit. 1 Tim. 1: 5; 2 Tim. 2: 22; 1 Peter 1: 22.