Understanding heart language …
A pathway to Bible engagement.
For Bible engagement to be effective, people must connect with the Bible in their heart language. The Apostle Paul alludes to this when he says, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” Ephesians 1:18-19 (NIV).
What is heart language?
So, what is heart language? In essence, it’s something more than language. It unites us at the deepest level and includes our integrated value systems, beliefs, experiences, and the reality of who we are. But that’s not all. Heart language is transactional. It transcends who we are; it’s about God revealing and communicating His love for us so that we hear and believe. “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified …” Romans 10:10 (NIV).
In the Christian context, heart language is, therefore, about the human heart and God’s heart coming together. It’s us interacting with the triune God, an intimate relationship between One heart and another.
What does it look like?
This raises a question: What does heart language look like for different people, i.e. for every tribe and tongue and nation? Obviously, it’s very different. In fact, while there may be a similar heart language within a specific culture, it may also be true to say that every individual has a unique heart language. That’s why God joins Himself with groups/communities of faith and allies Himself intimately with the thoughts and feelings He’s created in every individual.
A pathway to transformation.
But returning to the opening sentence and the association between heart language and Bible engagement …
God’s Word changes hearts. It is in and through the transference of God’s Word that our hearts are touched and transformed. When we rely on the power of the Spirit to help us interact with the Word (personally and communally), God speaks into our hearts in ways that nurture us to live only all for Him.
Thus, to engage with the Bible, we need to enter into the Word – to become part of the grand drama of salvation. This requires humbling and inclining our hearts. We must develop new postures of authenticity and vulnerability. For it is only when we open our hearts fully that God will fully apply His Word and make us new creations with the capacity to worship Him and do good works.
All told, through the deeper work God does in our hearts, as His Word courses through us, we are eventually redeemed, restored and reconciled to Him.
Understanding heart language. Join the conversation by sharing your insights in the comments.
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Summary
Effective Bible engagement requires connecting with the Bible in our “heart language,” which involves language and our deepest values, beliefs, and experiences. Heart language represents the intimate relationship between our hearts and God’s, where His love is revealed and communicated to us personally. This engagement is transformational, as God’s Word, through the Holy Spirit, touches and changes our hearts, leading us to live for Him. To truly connect with Scripture, we must approach it with vulnerability and authenticity, allowing God’s Word to redeem, restore, and reconcile us to Him.
© Scripture Union Canada
