![]() ![]() Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14–16 tells us, “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Many of us become so intent on fighting the external spiritual war that we forget that much of our battle is not with external forces, but with our own mind and thoughts. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”Įvery Christian is locked in a constant, intense war with demonic forces. Ephesians 4:31–32 instructs, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Anger acts like a poison on the body, both physically and spiritually, and makes believers more vulnerable to the temptation to hurt others with their actions and words. The spiritual equivalents are anger, giving in to temptation, and pride. Congestive heart failure can result from hypertension (high blood pressure), myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and abnormal enlargement of the heart. Guarding against a complaining spirit and cultivating a spirit of gratitude and trust is the second step toward guarding the heart.Ĭongestive heart failure is an inability of the heart to successfully pump blood through the body due to weaknesses within its walls. Instead, Christians are instructed to strive for contentment in all things, trusting in God to provide what is needed in His good time (Hebrews 13:5). God sees this as a lack of faith, and without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). By engaging in these activities, believers shift their focus away from the plans, purposes, and past blessings of God to the things of the world. ![]() Believers are instructed many times to avoid grumbling, murmuring, and complaining (Exodus 16:3 John 6:43 Philippians 2:14). Spiritual heart murmurs occur when believers engage in complaining, gossip, disputes, and contention. Heart valves act as doors to prevent the backward flow of blood into the heart. Heart murmurs are abnormal flow patterns due to faulty heart valves. Guarding against a rebellious spirit and cultivating a spirit of submissive obedience to God’s Word, therefore, is the first step in guarding the heart. There are many things that can harden the heart and lead a person to deny God, and just like cholesterol blocks blood flow, they keep a believer from having a free flow of God’s peace and blessings derived from obedience. In Psalm 95:7–8, King David pleaded with his people not to harden their hearts in rebellion against God as they did in the wilderness. Hardening of the heart occurs when we are presented with God’s truth, and we refuse to acknowledge or accept it.Īlthough Egypt was stricken with one calamity after another when the pharaoh refused to release the Israelites from their bondage, he hardened his heart against the truth that God Almighty intended to deliver His people from Egypt (Exodus 7:22 8:32 9:34). Hardening of the spiritual heart can also occur. ![]() Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries due to accumulated cholesterol plaques and scarring in the artery walls. ![]() Just as there are many diseases and disorders that can affect the physical heart, there are many ailments of the spiritual heart that can impair growth and development as a believer. That is why God examines the heart of a man, not simply his outward appearance and what he appears to be (1 Samuel 16:7). The mind of a man reflects who he really is, not simply his actions or words. The Bible tells us that our thoughts often dictate who we become (Proverbs 23:7 27:19). Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” When Solomon refers to guarding the heart, he really means the inner core of a person-the thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices that make that person who he/she is. Let your eyes look straight ahead fix your gaze directly before you. Keep your mouth free of perversity keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Proverbs 4:23–26 instructs believers to, “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. ![]()
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