Guard your Heart

Lately, I've been learning a whole lot about guarding your heart. In Proverbs 4, Solomon was giving instructions such as hold onto wisdom, acquire knowledge and understanding, listen to instructions, etc., and he continued on to verse 23, where he said "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.(NIV)" Did you catch that? Above All Else! I had to highlight that verse real quick because it was pretty outstanding. What I couldn't understand was why Solomon was saying this. I mean what's the big deal with the heart that it should be guarded? Well Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-19 "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them (the man). For out of the heart come evil thoughts - murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" (NIV).

As you can see, the heart controls us. Your thoughts, speech, actions, etc. are pondered in your heart before it is manifested and as a result, you wouldn't do whatever your heart doesn't condone. Even David understood the importance of the heart that he pleaded in Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." The heart is what the Lord weighs (Proverbs 21:2). And don't forget the beatitudes, where Jesus said "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). Doesn't that do it for you? So guard and keep your heart from evil so that it may be pure and guarantee your entrance into eternity.

-Didi