Heart Disease

Pastor Gary Oser

If you have ever read Reader’s Digest, you might remember a series they did on various parts of the body. The articles were entitled, “I am Joe’s Kidney,” “I am Joe’s Brain,” “I am Joe’s Stomach,” etc. Then the article explained about that part of the body.

The Bible talks about various parts of the body, so I want to do something similar over the next few months as I share with you.

I will begin with the heart. The Bible uses the word “heart” over 900 times throughout its pages. When the Bible uses the word heart, it isn’t referring to the blood-pumping organ of our bodies. Rather, it is referring to the innermost part of our being spiritually. It is the source from which everything else in our lives flow.

I would like to share just a few instructions God’s Word gives us in regards to our hearts.

First, Deuteronomy 6:5 tells us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Are you presently loving God with all your heart (being)?

Second, Proverbs 4:23 exhorts us, “Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” So many important things flow from your heart that you cannot be careless or haphazard with it. You need to guard it with diligence.

Third, Jesus instructs us in John 14:1, “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in Me…” There are so many things that can trouble us and cause us to be anxious. The key to overcoming these is to believe in (trust) Jesus.

Finally, Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” From these words, we see that we can harden our hearts towards God. The basic thing that causes our hearts to become hardened is sin. Therefore, we need to be quick to confess our sin and turn from it.

To have heart disease physically is a serious matter, but to have heart disease spiritually is even more serious. Has your heart been cleansed of sin? Have you allowed your heart to become hardened by sin? The good news is that God can cleanse and change your heart if you will come to Him “just as you are” and put your faith and trust in Him alone for salvation.