So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin];

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.

but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.

You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

For this nation’s heart has grown hard, And with their ears they hardly hear, And they have [tightly] closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, and turn [to Me] And I would heal them [spiritually].’

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom [regarding salvation] and does not understand and grasp it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.

The Heart of Man

Peter asked Him, “Explain this parable [about what defiles a person] to us.”

But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming).

And his master’s heart was moved with compassion and he released him and forgave him [canceling] the debt.

My heavenly Father will also do the same to [every one of] you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

But if that servant is evil and says in his heart, ‘My master is taking his time [he will not return for a long while],’