Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
Numerous words in Proverbs 4:23 shout PAY SERIOUS ATTENTION to a critical area of our life, our HEART. It starts with GUARD and continues with a DEMAND that it is guarded WITH ALL DILIGENCE.
We might wonder what the big deal is. Why such a strong emphasis on guarding the heart WITH ALL DILIGENCE? Why? Because our spiritual LIFE depends on it. Our spiritual heart is the seat of our emotions and will. The Bible refers to the heart as where we make our decisions. Jesus said in Matthew 15:19 that “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”
Because decisions determine the direction of our lives, we must make certain that we have a heart that is clean, not corrupt. Based on what our heart takes in determines what will come out. The old saying goes, “Garbage in, garbage out.”
So what does it mean to guard with all diligence the heart, guarding it as our very life depends on it? The heart disease that we must avoid is sin. How do we keep our hearts from sinning? I am glad you asked. The answer is found in Psalm 119:11. It says, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Solomon will give this instruction to his readers in several places. One such place is Proverbs 4:20-21. It says, “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;”
To guard your heart, you will need to fill it, yes, you need to SATURATE it, with the Word of God.
Saturating your heart with Scripture is one of the surest ways to stop sin!
Someone said, “The Bible will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from the Bible!”
I must add that hiding God’s Word in your heart is only the first step. With the hiding, there must also be the HEEDING or obeying of God’s Word. Proverbs 3:1 says, “My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep (or obey) my commands.”
For a healthy heart, we hear the Word. We hide the Word. We heed the Word!
What actions do you need to GUARD WITH ALL DILIGENCE YOUR HEART?
Continue Strong with a clean heart,
And remember to DATE the Word