Guard your heart. It’s from the Bible verse, Proverbs 4:23.
Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
The subject of my book, The Wellspring of Life. The verse came to me several years ago through a sermon delivered at a church I didn’t normally attend. It was timely, immediately following one of the most challenging weeks one could imagine. And the message came with an overwhelming feeling of peace. Very surreal. I can only attribute it to God.
So I’ve been stuck on this topic ever since. And, I think this is a message for everybody.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
Who’s heart are we talking about? I think God is referring to all of us.
Think you’re exempt?
Think again.
Read Matthew 15:19 – For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
Still wondering if this isn’t for you? Sure, I wouldn’t approach some of the overflows of the heart mentioned above, even under the most tempting circumstances. But haven’t we all had a derogatory thought once in a while? Or talked badly about such and so?
Good. Glad to hear you’re onboard with this one.
And the “who can know it†part from the Jeremiah verse? I think it’s a reminder of how deceitful our hearts can be.
Can you go a week without something from the Matthew 15:19 list showing up? I think the evil one has something for everybody here.
The Bible calls us to guard the heart because it’s incurably sick when left unattended.
Thoughts vs. words. The preceding verse says that the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart and that these things defile a man.
Defile… to shame, tarnish, degrade, dishonor and disgrace us.
So that’s what our heart does for us?
It doesn’t have to be this way… that’s why we have to “guard the heart!â€
Be vigilant about it.
Change the thought before it’s spoken as a word. This will change your heart. That’s guarding your heart. (Click to Tweet)
It’s an ongoing thing…
