I'm on a sodium rant these days, after reading an article about how excessive amounts of sodium are being added to nearly every food item we buy. While a little sodium adds flavor, the mega doses we internalize contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and a myriad of other health problems.

But sodium isn't the real culprit. In fact, nothing that we eat is. Truth is, what we say is far more dangerous than what we eat.

"there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man ... That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man." (Mark 7:15,20-23)

It is said that we are what you eat (although I've never exactly understood that statement), but we ultimately are what we say. External issues, such as dietary practices and ceremonial cleansings - major issues for "religious people" - have no direct bearing on spiritual well-being. The heart - the seat of our emotions, thoughts, and reasoning - is the true center of our spiritual condition. As Jesus said, it is there that we harbor evil thoughts, or nurture virtuous ones. Little wonder that we are encouraged to focus our minds on "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8).

The true reality is that "as he thinks within himself, so he is." (Proverbs 23:7). We are what we think. And what we think gives rise to actions, the "litmus test" of our hearts (Matthew 7:20).

Sodium has a bearing on heart health, but what we ponder in our hearts and minds has a greater bearing. It is wise to focus on healthy lifestyle issues such as food and exercise, but wiser still to focus on issues that determine whether we will be in the coming kingdom.

I'm still ticked off at what the food industry is doing to us with excessive sodium, but I'm far more alarmed by thoughts in my heart that are inconsistent with my Father and His nature. "Father, cleanse my heart of defiling evil, and empower me through Your Holy Spirit to dedicate myself to internalizing that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy. In Jesus' name. Amen."

Steve