GUARD YOUR HEART

It's amazing, especially as one ages how we are reminded often to take care of our hearts.  There are any number of things that can affect these human hearts of ours.  Conditiions can begin very small, almost so small, they can be ignored.  Any number of things can occur with the heart from a healthy tick all the way through the negatives to even a heart transplant.  We are told the things to do to insure heart health from diet, exercise to even some prevention-type medications.  If we want to continue living and breathing, we are careful and alert.

The odd thing is that spiritually, at times, we don't even consider the condition of our spiritual hearts.  We begain asking Jesus to come into our hearts.  That's what I was told when I got saved.   Even at age 10, I knew there wasn't going to be a man climb into my heart, but the joy of Jesus in my heart, couldn't just stand still.  With ongoing maturity, it still feels at times like my spiritual heart wants to burst with joy and love for Jesus.  

Problem is, we can end up with some pretty serious conditions in these hearts that can stunt our spiritual health.  Scripture tells us that what comes out of mouths is the result of what is going on in our hearts.  We live in a culture that has led us a long way through the years regarding sin and the damage it can cause.  As the world goes, so will go our hearts if we aren't alert to any "infections:" that might take place.  Mark 7:21-23 reminds us:

 For from within, out of the heart of men,

proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,

fornications, murders, thefts,

covetousness, wickedness, deceit,

lewdness, an evil eye, pride,

foolishness.

All these evil things come from within

and defile a man.

Mark is reminding us  that what comes from our words, has its source to be found in the heart. Praul would remind us of those things to put in the place of all that rot.  He speaks of a worthy goal for all of us that would contribute to keeping a clean, spiritually health heart.  He speaks in Galatians 5 of the delightful fruit...love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, godness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that can take the place of the debilitating sins Satan presents.

We probably get our hearts checked when we go to the doctor.  We can stay home and keep an honest check on our spiritual heart condition.  The Holy Spirit will be happy to help us back to the spiritual health He desires for us.

Father, may our heart's desire through the empowering of Your Spirit to be people who desire to have clean hands and pure hearts that honor You in every way.  May we serve You well with love and purity.  In Jesus' precious name...Amen