Highways To (and from) the Heart

by Dennis Michelson
(Novelty, Ohio)

Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Introduction: The five senses provide a gateway into and out of the human heart. The modern focus on outward rules and regulations often results in neglecting the more important "heart" work.

1. Touch

II Corinthians 6:17 - "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."

Study Leviticus 13 carefully and notice how meticulous the priest had to be in pronouncing something as "clean" or "unclean." There was a precise procedure to follow and nothing was pronounced as clean unless it passed the test.

Of course the same held true for that which was actually unclean. I fear that some may have pronounced some things "unclean" when God has not done so and as a result many in this generation have marginalized religious leaders who lack integrity and discernment in these matters.

2. Taste

Colossians 2:21 - "Touch not; taste not; handle not"

Be sure to read this verse in its context. Start reading back in verse 16 and you will see the danger of developing "commandments and doctrines of men" (v.22) Jesus spoke to this issue in Matthew 15:11 when He said "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."

3. Smell

Philippians 4:18 - "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God."

Instead of stirring up a stink, or looking to start one, you may want to ask - "I wonder how this smells to God?"

4. Sight

Matthew 5:29 - "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that they whole body should be cast into hell."

The eye is definitely a superhighway to the heart. If you are to keep your heart then you must guard your eyes. Truly the eyes are the windows to the soul.

5. Hearing

Romans 10:17 - "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

The daily intake and hearing of the Word of God will help you manage the other four senses. You will touch the right things, taste the good things, smell the sweet things, and see the pure things. "Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against God." That Word reaches the heart through the conduit of the ears.