What’s The State Of Your Heart? (3) By Babatunde Olugboji
This week, we’ll conclude our discussions on the heart, not the critical human organ, but that very important concept in the scripture.
It is important to note that just as there are many diseases that can disturb our physical heart, the same goes for the spiritual heart. One ailment that affects the physical heart is atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries resulting from accumulated cholesterol plaques and scarring in the artery walls. The spiritual heart can also be hardened when we have the knowledge of God’s truth but refuse to acknowledge or accept it.
In Exodus, Egypt faced one calamity after another when Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites. He hardened his heart against the truth that God was bent on delivering his people (Exodus 7:22; 8:32; 9:34). The hardening of his heart led to his ultimate destruction.
Like Pharaoh, there are many things that can harden our spiritual heart and get us to a bad place. Just like bad cholesterol blocks the flow of blood, such things can keep us from having a free flow of God’s peace and blessings. Guarding against a rebellious spirit and cultivating a spirit of submissive obedience to God’s Word, therefore, is a good first step in guarding the heart.
Also, congestive heart failure is an inability of the heart to successfully pump blood through the body due to weaknesses within its walls. It can result from high blood pressure, heart attacks, and the enlargement of the heart. The spiritual equivalents are anger, giving in to temptation, and pride.
Anger acts like a poison on the body, both physically and spiritually, and makes us more vulnerable to the temptation to hurt others with their actions and words. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31–32)
Are you aware that every believer is locked in a constant, intense war with Satan’s demonic forces? Many of us are so focused on fighting the external spiritual war, oblivious of the fact that the main battlefield is within our own mind and thoughts. James 1:14 – 16 clarifies this: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Sin always begins in the mind. A murderer would fist conceive and dwell on the crime before he or she puts it into action. The first line of defense, therefore, must be to refuse to even contemplate a wrongful action.
Can you pray thus this week:
Father in heaven, bring me to the full realization that although I walk in the flesh, I am not waging war according to the flesh. Help me heed the truth of Your word that the weapons of my warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, I destroy every stronghold, arguments, and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God. So shall it be in the name of Jesus.
Have a great week.
Kingdom Dynamics, a weekly column written by Dr. Babatunde Olugboji, the President, Kingdom House, a non-profit organization in New Jersey, USA.
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