Heart Trouble
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 
Illustration
by C. Michael Cunningham

Statistics reveal the high percentage of people who suffer from heart attacks, heart disease, and hardening of the heart arteries. But we can lower the risk of heart trouble. A balanced, healthy diet, aerobic exercise, less stress, and good rest are all ways each person can treat their heart better. And there are medicines and medical procedures that can help the human heart. Because, left alone, heart trouble can kill you.

Jesus spoke of the heart in a different way. He wasn't speaking about the central organ of the human body. He meant the center of our personality. Our heart in this sense is the source of our desires, our intentions and actions. And according to Jesus, this heart is not only prone to weakness and trouble, it is positively toxic.

Curing the Toxic Heart, by C. Michael Cunningham