Have you ever heard the expression to “guard your heart”? It comes from the Bible: Proverbs 4:23 says “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” There is so much truth in this verse! There are so many things that will try to worm their way into our hearts: financial stress, trouble with your spouse, difficulties with your children, job security, “stuff” that we think we need, and so much more.
The first part of Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else…”. How do I guard my heart? Do you remember this Sunday School song:
“Be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down with love, be careful little eyes what you see.
Be careful little ears what you hear. Be careful little ears what you hear. For the Father up above is looking down with love, be careful little ears what you hear.
Be careful little mouth what you say. Be careful little mouth what you say. For the Father up above is looking down with love, be careful little mouth what you say.
Be careful little feet where you go. Be careful little feet where you go. For the Father up above is looking down with love, be careful little feet where you go.”
There’s a lot of truth to that song. But how does it apply to guarding your heart? I’m so glad you asked! You guard your heart by being aware of what/where you’re allowing yourself to see, hear, say, and go. If you struggle with gossiping, you should be aware of who you hang out with. Are they gossipers? Do they talk in a way you would be ashamed to have Jesus listen to if He were standing there? Then stay away! If you struggle with intimacy, be careful that you don’t allow your heart to be swayed by another’s attentions. Do you respond to another’s attentions in a way that you would be ashamed of if Jesus were standing there with you? Then stay away! If you struggle with sexual impurity, be careful that you do not allow yourself to view ungodly things or go into businesses that would poison your mind with things you don’t need to see/know about. Would you be ashamed of watching things at home or on the internet/going into that business establishment if Jesus were with you? Then stay away!
The job of a body guard is to, at all costs, keep someone safe—keep shifty people away, be on the lookout for potential dangers, or even dodge a bullet if needed. Are you a body guard to your own heart? Do you keep your heart safe, at ALL COSTS??? Are you watching for shifty people, potential dangers, or willing to dodge a bullet for the safety of your heart? For me, I have to be honest to say that’s a difficult question.
It’s interesting to note, that the following verses in Proverbs (verses 24-27) are: “Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. (Be careful little mouth what you say) Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. (Be careful little eyes what you see) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. (Be careful little feet where you go)”
The second part of Proverbs 4:23 says, “…for it determines the course of your life”. Wow…that’s a powerful statement! The choice to guard my heart or to let any intruder in, will determine the course of my life. What if you allowed intruders into your home to steal whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted? Wouldn’t that affect every part of your life? Eventually, you would have nothing left. Now apply the analogy to your heart. If you allow everything/everyone into your heart that tries to intrude (negativity, gossip, greed, ___________ fill in the blank with your personal struggle), then you allow these things to come in and steal your heart. And eventually, you will be left with nothing.
There is another old song that says, “Guard your heart. As a payment for pleasure, it’s a high price to pay.” Take a minute to think about that! It’s so easy to give our hearts away, but at what price? I challenge you to guard your heart! And remember, in all things, Jesus IS with us, whether we choose to acknowledge His presence or not.
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