As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7] What does this mean?

Answer 1

This passage from the Bible simply means that you are what you think you are. We all have this opinion about ourselves, it's just not obvious most of the time.

To test this, here is a question for you: Have you ever been in a situation where you backed out because you thought that you couldn't do it, or that you're not up to the job? We all have been in this kind of situation somewhere in our lives. Some of the times, our judgement was correct when we decided not to go ahead. But most of the times, it was because of fear, shyness or low self-esteem that we didn't go through with it. Do you see now what I'm getting at? It is this low self-esteem, this low self-image that we had in our heart that kept us from reaching a certain potential. We see ourselves as incapable, therefore that is the only level in life that we can reach.

However, this is just one aspect of it. If your heart is haughty, so will your actions be. If you're young at heart, then so are you. And if you're proud at heart, your words of anger will gush out when someone else proves you wrong. It all starts from the heart.

Answer 2

For he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you. [Proverbs 23:7]

I think you are thinking of another verse. I would interpret the verse as something to do with committing sin within your heart.

Example; kid who whacks off to porn.

The kid is committing adultery in the eyes of the church because he is lusting after women he is not married to. He would gladly have sex with them but he is not able to. So he sins alone.

Very confusing concept.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Jonathon,
One of the Service Commercials for the ARMY says "Be all that you can be." This means about the same thing. We are also told that thru GOD all things are possible. GOD can allow you or I to do what we want to do. Your thinking affects what you decide to do. IF you spend all day thinking evil things, you will eventually become evil. If your thoughts are on GOD and HIS KINGDOM then you will do the things necessary to get into HIS KINGDOM. I hope that this makes some sense. Have a great day.
Eds

Answer 4

This would mean the same no matter where it is written. It means that no matter how a person acts or appears to others he is really what he or she thinks and feels in thier own hearts and minds.

Answer 5

It means that the things you think about are who and what you are. If you think mean things then you are being mean. Some people appear one way but are actually another inside. God knows what is in your heart and head.

Answer 6

Just what it says.
You see, there's a law called the law of attraction. Whatever you think of most, it becomes a part of your life.
If you think of good things mostly, then good results will occur... and the same goes for bad things.
So, if you think of yourself as a victorious warrior (as a man thinks in his heart), then you wll be victorious in all battles (so is he).

Answer 7

Hearts can be dark and how dark that can be, or pure.

So what purity lies in your heart, those thoughts determine who you are.

Actually the impetus of a thought, they are now discovering , starts in the heart and then moves to the brain.

Answer 8

Whatever your heart thinks is a very good test of who you are on the inside.

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"

Answer 9

you will eventually do the things you think if they aren't dealt with. for instance - its not the thought that is sin, its what you do with the thought. you think on it long enough it becomes an imagination - then from there, a stronghold. Strongholds then turn into actions.
- its saying what ever is in your heart, you will do. - a bad tree bears bad fruit, a good tree bears good fruit

Answer 10

Out of the abundants of the heart the mouth will speak; curseings and blessing come out of the mouth along with life and death.