1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Doctors check a patient’s vital signs—temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure—to assess and monitor overall health. Checking the vital signs help the practitioners diagnose and determine the course of treatment for the patient. High body temperature indicates a bacterial or viral infection or inflammation but the root cause of the fever must be identified. Abnormal respiratory rate could indicate anxiety, asthma, pneumonia or even heart failure. High blood pressure is a...

Proverbs 25:27 “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.” Honey is a natural sweetener and a rich antioxidant. It protects cell damage, heals wounds, helps in fighting off certain infections, gives relief to gastrointestinal issues and builds resistance.  However, too much honey is not good. Indulgence of honey could become harmful to the body. This analogy is a perfect epitome of “spiritual dangers” of becoming ‘head heavy’ but ‘heart empty’. Deep research into hermeneutics without humility is only a façade and a felony. Jesus warned us about the Pharisees...

1 Samuel 16:7b “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  An x-ray produces flat 2D black and white images whereas scans can produce detailed 3D cross-sectional images of the soft tissues, organs, internal bleeding and tumors in the body. X-rays can reveal basic issues like bones and fractures while scans slice into the brain, heart and the abdomen.    The eyes of the Lord are like a scanning machine. They can see the details of the thoughts running in the mind and can...

Proverbs 18:20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The stomach is a sensitive organ of the body. What we feed our bodies must be healthy, nutritious, and sustaining. If the digestive system is unable to properly break down certain foods it will lead to symptoms like gas, diarrhea, and pain. The analogy applies to the gut health of our soul. The stomach is filled by the words of our mouth. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat...

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. The frequency of blood tests to monitor cholesterol, blood sugar, liver, and kidney function would vary with age and health conditions. It is recommended that adults do a complete blood-work annually. Similarly, regular spiritual check-ups of our inner man are vital to expose hidden sins and uproot any seeds of bitterness. Unresolved anger turns into bitterness. Insults, abuse or hurt that is never discussed or healed can become like...

Psalm 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Anxiety can trigger heart palpitation and increase the heart rate. Pounding heart, fast-beating and fluttering are caused by release of hormones and adrenaline, increasing the heart rate and blood flow. Anxiety related palpitations are normally short-lived and relaxing techniques such as deep breathing or walking can normalize the palpitations. ‘Managing anxiety and mastery over anxious thoughts/reactions marks our level of spiritual maturity’. A healthy spiritual heart is “anxiety-resistant”. The divine techniques of overcoming anxiety are by reiterating the truth over the facts. The facts of an issue could...

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; See if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Regular health-checks become essential after the age of 40 to detect any age-related conditions that could deteriorate the health and longevity of life. Health checkups could identify heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and malignant conditions in their early stages. Similarly a regular spiritual health checkup is inevitable as we grow and mature in our walk with the Lord.  The older we grow spiritually the more frequently we...