No other body part is mentioned more in the Bible than the heart, it’s mentioned over one thousand times. Perhaps because in its natural form, it’s the center of all physical activities. And in its psychological form it is the center of all hidden emotional, intellectual and moral activity. In its natural form, it’s the number one reason for death in men and women and in its psychological form it is the number one reason for depression, sadness, hopelessness and spiritual death in men and women.

The reason heart disease is the number one cause of death in men and women, is because first, we often times don’t realize that we have heart problems. Second, when we eventually discover that we have heart problems, it is often too late. That’s because when we’re suffering from heart disease the symptoms usually manifest themselves in other parts of the body. For example, you may have cramps in your legs or arms and mistakenly think you have circulation problems. Or, you may be feeling fatigued and think that you have pulmonary problems. Or, you may have acid reflux and think you have digestive problems when in fact it is heart problems manifesting themselves in other areas.

As we open the Bible we discover a parallel between the heart in its natural form and the heart in its psychological form, in that the heart in its psychological form when it’s sick, the symptoms also manifest themselves in other areas. The symptoms usually manifest themselves in what we say and how we behave.  And it’s not a diction problem or a behavior problem but rather a heart problem.

Jesus said, “The things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Matthew 15:18-19 NIV

It may be time for a heart test. How’s your heart?  Do you have any symptoms that you may be mistaking for something else?

Solomon said, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  – Proverbs 4:23 NIV