I have a heart condition…and so do you. The question is–what is the condition of your heart, and mine? What is going on in our hearts is often revealed by what we see happening on the outside. It seems to be a part of God’s design in much of creation that inner health is reflected through outer appearance and experience. We can see that a tree has disease on the inside when instead of beauty and new growth on the outside, it begins drying, rotting and breaking. We know something is wrong in its inner core–its “heart.” And when there is something wrong in the heart, the outside is always affected. The same is true for you and me.

Of course, this principle does not apply only in the physical realm. It is a mental, emotional, and most importantly, spiritual principle as well. It is an amazing truth that God created much greater depth to every human being beyond our physical bodies. Yes, He has put a physical, human heart in the center of our bodies that pumps life-giving blood to every organ. And yes, if that heart has a condition of damage, sickness or weakness, the whole body is affected and at risk. A healthy heart is vital to a healthy life.

But the same is true spiritually. God has created each one of us with a spiritual heart within. It is not something we can see, feel (physically), or touch, but it is there, and it is vital to our health. Our hearts are the keepers of all feelings, emotions, relationships and experiences. Everything generates from the heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV) This simple statement has very strong qualifiers in it.

First it tells us that “above all else” we must guard our hearts. That is strong language. It is saying that more than anything else we need to watch, take care of, and protect our hearts. More than anything. This makes clear the critical importance of the heart in our daily spiritual life and in our eternal future. Then it also says, that “everything” we do flows from the heart–everything. Everything includes, well, everything! It means nothing is left out. There is nothing we do in this life that does not flow from the heart. That makes our heart the center of our very lives.

This brings me back to where I started…if the heart is the center of our lives, then what is the condition of our hearts? It is there, within you, whether you acknowledge it or not. So how healthy is your spiritual heart? Have you been guarding it well? Have you been protecting it from input that will cause damage, weakness or disease? And most of all, what and who resides in your heart–who sits on the “throne” of your heart and your life? That is the most critical question to answer.

You see, the bottom line is that all of us either have a regenerated heart or an unregenerate heart, and it is Jesus alone who can renew a heart. So either we have invited Him in to rule and change our hearts, or we continue to hold tightly to the illusion of control in this life. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Jesus never pushes His way in. He calls, He knocks, and He waits–giving each one of us the freedom to choose what we will do with our hearts. Our decision determines the condition of our heart and our position for eternity. It is a crucial decision to make. I hope you have considered the weight of it and have chosen to give your heart to Christ.

Yet, even for those whose hearts have been given to Christ, we still must guard the condition of our hearts. We must watch what we allow in to our hearts because what goes in will determine what comes out of our mouths and our lives. Matthew 15:18 tells us, “But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.” As a Christian, I want good things to come out from me, so I am honoring God and reflecting His glory. If that is what I want to come out, I have to make sure good, godly things go in to my heart. And so do you.

So, I do have a heart condition, and because of Jesus alone, it is a good. What about your heart?

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Additional Bible Verses about the Heart:

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27:19

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26