Proverbs 4:23 - What You Plant And Grow In Your Mind Determines Your Destiny

Pro.4:23; What You Plant And Grow In Your Mind Determines Your
Destiny

Prov 4:23 (KJV)  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of
it are the issues of life.

Prov 4:23 (NIV)  Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the
wellspring of life.

Prov 4:23 (TEV)  Be careful how you think; your life is shaped
by your thoughts.

Prov 4:23 (CWB)  Above everything else in life, guard the
affections of your heart; the emotional attachments you make determine the
direction of your life.

Heart. i.e., mind or inner being. [Ryrie SB]

The heart is so much more that just our affections, as some
think.  The heart is regarded as being the seat of the intellect, the
feelings, and the will.   The heart is often spoken of in God's Word as
our innermost being. [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]

The expression "wellspring of life" is a reference to one's
spiritual vitality. [New Bible Companion]

Springs of life. Lit., outgoings of life; i.e., spiritual
vitality. [Ryrie SB]

The heart should be guarded for out of it (a wellspring) come
one's actions. [Bible Knowledge Commentary]

The heart is the starting point of the activities of life; it
determines the course of life. [Expositors Bible Commentary]

"Guard your heart above anything else you have, because it
determines the kind of life you will live." The heart is the
"master-control" of the life; a wrong heart always produces a wrong life. To
allow sin into the heart is to pollute the entire life. [Wiersbe
Expository Outlines]

Just as a source of water could go bad, one's thinking could
become corrupted if it was not guarded. [Quest SB]

Purity of mind is the first requisite for a sinless life.... Sin
is the indulging of the desires of the sinful, deceitful human
heart (Jer. 17:9), hence the need for diligence in keeping the mind
surrendered to God, who alone can keep it pure (see Eph. 4:17, 23). [SDA
Commentary]

As God works upon the heart by His Holy Spirit, man must
cooperate with Him. The thoughts must be bound about, restricted,
withdrawn from branching out and contemplating things that will only
weaken and defile the soul..... By beholding we are to become changed,
and as we meditate upon the perfections of our divine Model, we
shall desire to become wholly transformed and renewed in the image of
His purity. There will be a hungering and thirsting of soul to be
made like Him whom we adore. The more our thoughts are upon Christ,
the more we shall speak of Him to others, and represent Him to the
world. 3BC1145

Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a healthy growth in
grace. The heart in its natural state is a habitation for unholy
thoughts and sinful passions. When brought into subjection to Christ, it
must be cleansed by the Spirit from all defilement....... In the work of
heart-keeping we must be instant in prayer, unwearied in petitioning the
throne of grace for assistance..... The Saviour has told us to pray
without ceasing. The Christian can not always be in the position of
prayer, but his thoughts and desires can always be upward..... They should
cultivate a love for meditation, and cherish a spirit of
devotion.....3BC1157

The heart must be renewed by divine grace, or it will be in vain
to seek for purity of life. He who attempts to build up a noble,
virtuous character independent of the grace of Christ is building his
house upon the shifting sand. In the fierce storms of temptation it
will surely be overthrown.... Those who would not fall a prey to
Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid
reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The
mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that
the adversary of souls may suggest... This will require earnest prayer
and unceasing watchfulness. We must be aided by the abiding
influence of the Holy Spirit, which will attract the mind upward, and
habituate it to dwell on pure and holy things. And we must give diligent
study to the word of God.  PP460

We may close every door to impure imaginings and unholy thoughts
by lifting the soul into the presence of God through sincere
prayer. SC99

Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of
grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is
in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul.
[Matthew Henry Commentary]

Live in God's Word and He will protect your path, direct your
path, and perfect your path, for the glory of Jesus Christ. [Wiersbe
Expository Outlines]

Have you ever watched an icicle form? Did you notice how the
dripping water froze, one drop at a time, until the icicle was a foot
long or more?
If the water was clean, the icicle remained clear and sparkled
brightly in the sun; but if the water was slightly muddy, the icicle
looked cloudy, its beauty spoiled.
Our character is formed in like manner. Each thought or feeling
adds its influence. Each decision we make - both great and small -
contributes its part. Everything we take into our minds and souls -
impressions, experiences, images, or words - helps create our character.
At all times, we must be aware of the "droplets" we allow to
drip into our lives. Acts that develop habits of hate, falsehood, and
evil intent mar and eventually destroy us--but habits born of love,
truth, and goodness silently mold and fashion us into the image of God.
[God's Little Devotional Bible]

An American Indian was once visiting New York City. As he walked
the busy Manhattan streets with a friend from the city, he suddenly
stopped, tilted his head to one side, and said, "I hear a cricket."
"You're crazy," his friend said. The Cherokee answered, "No, I
hear a cricket. I do! I'm sure of it."
The friend replied, "It's the noon hour. People are jammed on
the sidewalks, cars are honking, taxis are whizzing by--the city is
full of noise. And you think you can hear a cricket?"
"I'm sure I do," said the visitor. He listened even more
intently and then walked to the corner. Spotting a shrub in a large
cement planter, he dug into the leaves underneath it, and pulled out a
cricket. His friend was astounded. The man said, "The fact is, my friend,
that my ears are different than yours. It all depends on what your
ears have been tuned to hear. Let me show you." He reached into his
pocket, pulled out a handful of loose change and dropped the coins on
the pavement. Every head within a half block turned. "See what I
mean?" he said, picking up the coins. "It all depends on what you are
listening for."
Listen today to those things that will make you wise. Heed those
things that prepare you for eternity. [God's Little Devotional Bible re
Pro.15:3]