"Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." Proverbs 4:23
I've always heard people say when giving advice, "Follow your heart", I've probably given that advice myself. I didn't realize how misdirected that guidance was until I started really studying my bible.
The word "heart" occurs 771 times in the New King James version from the Old Testament all the way through the New Testament. It says a lot about the heart from a "hard heart" (Eph. 4:17-19) to an "angry heart" (Psalm 39:3) to having a "hurting heart" (Lam. 5:15) and to even having a heart of desire and passion (Song of Sol. 5:4).
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?"
Jeremiah 17:9.
Our heart is where our emotions are stored. It gives us feelings and thoughts of whatever mood we might be in, different everyday or every minute for some of us (for instance...
Yours Truly).
Solomon stated in Proverbs 4:23 to "guard our hearts". The heart is a source of life and impacts all that we do, say and believe (or think we believe, in some cases).
We must protect it!
We can be swayed by ungodly influences if we follow our heart. If only I had been wise to this information when I was a teenager my heart would not have been broken as often as it was. But maybe being unwise is the price we pay for being young.
Ways of Protecting Our Heart:
#1 Be in a right relationship with the Lord. Stay close to Him; a daily quiet time (Prov.19:3).
#2 Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide; be sensitive to Him (Isaiah 58:11).
#3 And, of course, guard your heart; don't be deceived (Prov. 22:17).
Ask God to "create a clean heart in me" (Psalm 51:10). He will, and while He's at it He will renew our spirit. He will give us a heart of wisdom (Ps. 90:12). He will make our heart perfect (Ps. 101:2). He desires that for us.
If you are in need of a heart transplant ask the Great Physician to do the honors. Jesus is the specialist in healing and in matters of the heart. He can be trusted. I promise!
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, You are the Great Physician. I am so thankful that You create, instill and move in me through Your Holy Spirit. May I strive to be obedient to You everyday. Give me what I stand in need of to do Your will, and protect my heart. Amen.
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