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How Proverbs 4:23 Can Change Everything
Brian Mashburn
July 1, 2018
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What Is More Important Than All Else?
"I felt some pressure, squeezing, and discomfort in my chest. I was short of breath, and felt this pain in my jaw, and then pain in my arm. I lied down, thinking it would just go away. I'm an active, athletic person, so the idea of a heart attack didn't even cross my mind, not until it suddenly felt like 1000 pounds of bricks dropped on my chest." - A typical testimony for heart attack victims.
Do NOT mess around with your heart. The heart is just too important. This is why those with "chest pains" jump to the front of the line at the Emergency Room. It is literally a matter of life and death. The heart is what keeps life flowing, and the quality of your physical heart literally dictates the quality of your physical life. The medical community speaks with one voice on this, and they are joined zealously by everyone who has suffered a heart scare. As a matter of fact, every heart attack victim I know says that nothing changed their lives more dramatically than a heart attack. It was a game changer.
The same is true spiritually, and the parallels are irresistible. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Let us assume that Solomon, wisest of the wise, and author of this potentially game changing statement, knows how many important things there are in God's will. And yet, he puts THIS commission on the very TOP SHELF of your priority system.
Above. All. Else. Evidently, the heart is what keeps life flowing spiritually, and the quality of your spiritual heart dictates the quality of your spiritual life.
The doctor can only do so much to keep your heart healthy. At some point, you must get involved.
The same is true with God and your heart.