Holman's Bible dictionary says about the Heart

Not only is the heart associated with the activities of the mind and the will, but it is also closely connected to the feelings and affections of a person. Emotions such as joy originate in the heart (Psalm 4:7; Isaiah 65:14 ). Other emotions are ascribed to the heart, especially in the Old Testament. Nabal's fear is described by the phrase: “his heart died within him” (1 Samuel 25:37; compare Psalm 143:4 ). Discouragement or despair is described by the phrase “heaviness in the heart” which makes it stoop (Proverbs 12:25 ). Again, Ecclesiastes 2:20 says, “Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.” Another emotion connected with the heart is sorrow. John 16:6 says, “because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.” Proverbs 25:20 , describes sorrow as having “an heavy heart.” The heart is also the seat of the affection of love and its opposite, hate. In the Old Testament, for example, Israel is commanded: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him” (Leviticus 19:17 RSV). A similar attitude, bitter jealousy, is described in James 3:14 as coming from the heart. On the other hand, love is based in the heart. The believer is commanded to love God “with all your heart” ( Mark 12:30; compare Deuteronomy 6:5 ). Paul taught that the purpose of God's command is love which comes from a “pure heart” (1 Timothy 1:5 ).

Again I want to emphasize that the heart is deceitful, so that we cannot trust our "feelings" and we are easily deceived by what we feel. Also, if we spend time thinking about our "feelings" they may begin to control us and make us their servant. We will then make unwise decisions and choices based upon what we know to be deceitful. 

So beware of feelings taking the place of facts. It is ubiquitous in our culture today and very dangerous.

When a politician says facts do not matter as much as "having your heart in the right place" is so very troubling. It helps us understand the depth of depravity that the "heart" can sink to.

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