Under the Banyan Tree
ISAIAH 10:12–13,16--Therefore it shall come to pass, when the LORD has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem that He will say, “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.” For he says: “By the strength of My hand I have done it, and by My wisdom, for I am prudent; also, I have removed the boundaries of the people and have robbed their treasuries; so I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man. . . . Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send leanness among his fat ones, and under his glory He will kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.”
Some people have such arrogant, dominant hearts that everything beneath them is wasted away.
In the lovely town of Lahaina, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, there is a banyan tree that covers a city block. Nothing grows under a big banyan tree. It shuts out all the light and consumes all the nutrition.
Haughty and arrogant hearts stifle the growth of others. The king of Assyria arrogantly believed he could dominate and control everyone else. His haughtiness made him believe he was in charge of everything. A person with such a heart cannot allow others to succeed or have the spotlight.
Do other people grow under your spiritual heart, or do they shrivel?
Spiritual Heart Focus
Allow the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind those nestled uner your heart. Ask the Father to grant that all those you lead--whether spouse, kids, or work associates--will grow under your heart.
Physical Heart Focus
Be a food label inspector, checking for calories, fat, and sugar content.