Sin Damages the Heart

"And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?'" Mark 8:17-21 ESV

In a story titled "Does running marathons damage your heart? This decade-long study has the answers" published by Runner's World over the weekend, it was reported that Researchers tracked recreational marathon runners for 10 years to explore whether long term endurance training causes lasting changes to heart function.

Interestingly enough, "this study looked at long term changes in ventricular function in recreational marathon runners. To be even more accurate, the study zeroed in on whether marathon-induced troponin T release (a protein released into the bloodstream when heart muscle cells are damaged or injured) was associated with long-term right ventricular remodelling after 10 years of repetitive endurance exercise. Why is that important? The right ventricle is not only responsible for sending deoxygenated blood to the lungs to be replenished, but is more sensitive to structural change when under load when compared to the left."

In the study, 152 male runners were assessed pre-race, immediately after the race, on days one and three post-race, and at a 10-year follow-up. Cardiac biomarkers, like troponin T release, were recorded.

The results showed that marathon-induced acute troponin T increase was not associated with a change in right ventricular ejection fraction (the percentage of blood pumped out of the right ventricle with each beat) after 10 years of endurance training and competition. There were changes to the left ventricle over the 10 year period, but these remained within normal limits.

So, this data suggests that repetitive and strenuous exercise training and endurance competitions did not induce long-term deterioration of right ventricular function in most recreational male endurance athletes.

In conclusion, the writer said, "This is good news, but it is a small sample set. If you ever have any worries or concerns about your heart health, speak to your GP."

And while we would all do well to monitor the condition of our physical hearts, the condition of our spiritual hearts warrants even more careful and consistent introspection. You see, sin can quickly harden our hearts if left unchecked (even briefly), because it has a cumulative effect. Which means over time, it can cause lasting negative changes. 

To understand why that matters, consider that the biblical heart is not merely a physical organ or seat of emotions, but the central "control center" of a person's inner life, encompassing their mind, will, and emotions. It represents the core of human personality, motivation, and spiritual character, acting as the source of our thoughts, decisions, and intentions. 

"Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread." Mark 8:14-16

It's easy to see then how a hardened heart could be deadly because a heart that's lost its sensitivity dulls a person’s ability to perceive and understand--something that can happen to even the most faithful Christians. This was something Jesus pointed out to the disciples when they became concerned with their meager bread supply. From their discussion over having "no bread,"  it was clear that each of them had forgotten how Jesus had just fed thousands with only a few loaves.

Hence the reason Jesus said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve." 

Jesus went on to question them, thus further showing the hardness of their hearts, saying, "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?" By these questions, Jesus spelled out for us the characteristics of this spiritual heart condition as an inability to see, understand, hear, and remember--a condition that can overtake the Christian very quickly. 

So knowing that it doesn't take long for us to forget the many ways Jesus can and does provide for our needs (after all distraction and forgetfulness are some of the enemy's greatest tactics), make it a point to check your heart often my friend by remembering all the ways God has been faithful to you in the past. 

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

And then choose to recollect daily and recall repeatedly that the love of the Lord NEVER ceases and his mercies NEVER come to and end. They are new EVERY morning and God's faithfulness is GREAT enough to meet all of your needs and mine. Causing your heart to meditate on these truths will keep it soft so that you can see, understand, hear, and remember. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that when we forget your past provisions, we fret and worry about your future ones. Help us to recall all the ways that You provide for us Lord so that we would keep our hearts sensitive to the Holy Spirit that we would be able to see things as they truly are. Help us to keep our hearts and minds set on You at all times Lord. Point out any area in our lives where we are failing to do this Lord that we might repent and get back on track. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!