HEART TROUBLE
PROVERBS 12: 20, 25
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in America. Heart failure accounts for 40% of all U.S. deaths. That’s more than all forms of cancer combined.
Why is heart disease so deadly? One reason is that many people are slow to seek help when symptoms arise. Heart symptoms aren’t always intense or obvious, and they vary from person to person. Because it can be hard to make sense of heart symptoms, doctors warn against ignoring possible warning signs, toughing them out, waiting to see if they go away, or being quick to blame them on other less serious causes [heartburn, muscle soreness etc.].
Though this type of heart trouble refers to the physical heart, there are many hearts that are troubled in other ways also. This kind of heart trouble comes from the inner man. [Heart can refer to the mind, thinking or understanding, the will or determination, the emotions, appetites or passions.] Let’s look at the Book of Proverbs and see some of the different ways this type of heart trouble affects us. Perhaps you will recognize one of these symptoms this is warning you of heart trouble in your inner being.
# 1. Proverb 12:20 teaches that we can be troubled by deceit in the heart. "Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy" (NASB).
Deceit is here traced to its fountain, the heart. Deceit characterizes the wicked (12:5; 6:14; 11:18; 14:8; 15:4; 26:19, 24, 26) but joy comes to people who desire and work for peace (shalom, "well-being") of others. [The word plot (haras) literally is plow (3:29) indicating making a furrow or row(s).]
There are those who imagine, or plan, how to do evil—how to get ahead at the expense of everyone else. If you want to have a joyous day, however, imagine, or plan, ways to bring peace to the lives of others.
Two slick CON MEN boarded a train that runs between New York and Boston and singled out a prosperous looking man. Sitting down next to him they invited him to join them in a game of cards. It wasn’t long until the unsuspecting victim owed one of the other players several hundred dollars.
The winner agreed to take a check, but once he had it in his hand he acted conscious-stricken and tore the check up. "I’ never thought you’d lose so much money," he said! "Let’s call the whole thing off." Impressed with his apparent generosity, the loser insisted on writing out a new check.
Later, when, he received his bank statement, he discovered that both checks had been cashed. The crook had apparently slip the first one into his pocket and tore up a blank one instead. His seeming generosity was a clever scheme of deception.
We would all agree that such deception is despicable. Yet we must be aware that we all have a tendency to be deceitful. We deceive by wearing a mask of flattery, winking at wrong; or saying we are just trying to be diplomatic, but we ate really following the example of the devil, the father of lies (Jn;8:44). Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice To deceive! Sir Walter Scott
# 2. Proverb 12:25 reveals the troubles that make for a heavy heart. "Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad."
Anxiety can readily cause a mild depression. This burden or heaviness in the heart strains and drains life. This is true not only figuratively but literally because we know that many heart problems are directly related to stress. It is well known today in the fields of medicine and psychology, anxiety can weigh a man down (Lit. "causes a man to bow down" or depresses him). An empathetic kind word, though, can give an anxious, depressed person support and can cheer him up (12:18).
In Philippians 1:10 Paul says we are to approve things that are excellent and everyone has within him at least one quality to approve. Therefore, giving a good word not only brightens the heart of the hearer, but fulfills reason for speaking. Such inner refreshing is healing to both hearts.
# 3. Proverb 14:13 reveals a sorrowful heart. "Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief."
By his laughter a person may give the impression that he is enjoying life when actually in his heart he is hurting emotionally (10; 15:13b). Present circumstances or appearances can be deceiving. The phrase "joy may end in grief" refers the fact that no one, even those who are presently experiencing joy, knows what is around the bend.
Why are so many comedians prone to drugs and destruction? Because only the Lord can bring true joy. The world can laugh, but it can’t have joy. [End, Eccl 2:1, 2]
# 4. Proverb 14:14 indicates that heart trouble may be due to backsliding. "The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his" [from himself].
A backslider is one who decides to step back or away from the way of the Lord. They do so that they might satisfy some selfish desire or interest. As the backslider losses his discipline and his will to resist he slides down the slippery slope of his stubborn choice to land in the slop. This slop is what finally gave the prodical son his fill.
God has a fountain from which those who drink find deep meaningful satisfaction. When God dwells in the heart He releases His fulness into the good or righteous man.
# 5. Proverbs 15:7 diagnosis that heart trouble may be the result of its being filled with foolishness. "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so."
[One of the marks of a wise man is that he will go about dispensing knowledge. "Take care how you hear," Jesus said, "for how you mete it out, it will be measured back to you" (Mark 4:24). In other words, when the Lord gives instruction to you, dispense that instruction to others because then you will be given more revelation.] Wise people share helpful facts, but fools spread folly. Peoples’ words (lips) reveal what is in their hearts (4:23-24). The foolish person refuses to fill his heart with the knowledge of God so he has no eternal wisdom to disperse. God’s word has not been treasured in his heart so it can yield no interest.
# 6. Proverbs 15:28 teaches that consideration guards the inner treasure of the righteous but the heart of the wicked pulses forth impulsively. "The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things."
The mouth of the wicked is always talking. Conversely, there is something wonderful about stillness. Silence has a real place in guarding and protecting spiritual passion. If you’ve ever been in a steam room, you know that every time the door is opened, steam rushes out. We lose something by always opening our mouths. Even though you might be sharing good things, it may be good to keep the door of reverance closed, to let the fire of devotion heat up. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: Vol. Two. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2006, S. 225]
# 7. Proverb 16:5 reveals the heart trouble caused by pride. "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished."
God detests pride, or independence of the Lord; therefore He will punish it. Be sure of this or assuredly is literally "hand to hand" (11:21) speaking that the Lord will be up close and personal when He punishes the prideful.
[Proverb 16:23. "The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips."]
# 8. Proverb 18:12 diagnosis the critical state of a haughty heart. "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, But humility goes before honor."
A haughty person is independent of God and thinks he is superior to others. The result of being puffed up is an eventual downfall (11:2; 16:18; 29:23a). Humility on the other hand results in receptivity and assistance. For while the proud trust in their own resources. The humble trust in God and are therefore upheld by Him.
# 9. Proverb 19:3 reveals that anger troubles the heart. "The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the Lord."
Foolishness ruins a person’s life (literally, "overturns or subverts his way"). A fool brings problems on himself and thus is responsible for his own actions. But a fool though blames the results of his carelessness on the will of the Lord. A foolish man doesn’t listen to the Lord, seek the Lord, or walk with the Lord. Yet when he ends up in trouble, who does he blame? The Lord.
# 10. Proverb 20:5 reveals the hidden depth of the heart. "A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out."
A person’s plans and insights are like deep waters (18:4) which a wise person can draw out. A discerning person can help another bring to the surface his true thoughts, intentions, or motives. This counsel should help a person examine his true motives and thoughts which he may not fully understand otherwise. [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983, S. 948.]
In CONCLUSION
Heart problems in the inner man are seen in anxiety, depression, inner churning, discontentment, feelings of insecurity, instability, doubt, unrest uncertainty.
Is there a solution? Yes there is. First, you must come to the Lord and yield your heart to Him and ask Him to perform open heart surgery on you. Let’s read Jeremiah 31:33. "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the Lord, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ["I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; and I will put the fear of Me in their hearts so that they will not turn away from Me. (41) "I will rejoice over them to do them good and will faithfully plant them in this land with all My heart and with all My soul" (Jer. 32:40-41).]
Well if you have had the Lord perform open heart surgery then to maintain your heart you will need to take the prescription found in Jeremiah 15:16. "Thy words were found and I did eat them, and they were to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." If you do, God will keep your mind and heart in peace.
