Spiritual Heart Attack

Saturday February 21, 2015

Heart attacks are the No.1 cause of death in many parts of the world. In America a heart attack occurs every 20 seconds, with someone dying from heart disease every 34 seconds. In Singapore on in three deaths is due to heart disease or stroke. We need to pay careful attention to what medical professionals are saying about heart attack prevention : reduce stress, don´t smoke, exercise regularly and watch your diet. "Guard your heart above all else" is instruction that we ignore to our own peril (Proverbs 4:23).

But the "heart" in this verse is not the biological organ that pumps blood. In Scripture the "heart" is the place where our feelings, attitudes, words and actions are conceived (Luke 6:45). "As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person" (Proverbs 27:19). It´s the "inner man" that defines who we are.

The heart is where Christ makes His home (John 14:23; Ephesians 3:16-17), and where God´s Spirit dwells (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). The heart determines our receptivity and our responsiveness towards God (Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 11:19-20). It´s the centre of our worship (Jeremiah 32:39; Psalm 86:12). It defines, shapes and "determines the course of [our] life" (Proverbs 4:23). 

Police and soldiers on active duty wear bulletproof vests to protect their hearts from possible danger. Solomon offers a heart attack protection and prevention advisory : "Pay attention" and "listen carefully" to God´s Word. Let His words "penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life... and healing to [your] whole body" (vv. 20-22).

The psalmist speaks of the importance of this truth : "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). The risk of a fatal spiritual heart attack intensifies when you neglect and ignore God´s Word. - K.T.Sim

Read
Proverbs 4:20-23
My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man´s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

Deuteronomy 32:46-47
He said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you - they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."

Joshua 1:7-8
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 119:9-12
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word. 
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119: 97-105
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
 for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and 
bring you prosperity.

Question to Ponder
What things are threatening your heart at this moment?
What will you do to guard it?


**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue