Proverbs 4:23 - GUARD YOUR HEART!!!
Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV) Keep your heart with
all diligence, For out of it spring the issues
of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard
your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Guard your heart above
all else, for it determines the course of your
life.
WORD STUDY
The "heart commonly refers to the mind as
the center of thinking and reason (3:3; 6:21;
7:3), but also includes the emotions (5:15, 30),
the will (11:20; 14:14), and thus, the whole
inner being (3:5). The heart is the depository of
all wisdom and the source of whatever affects
speech (v. 24), sight (v. 25), and conduct (vv. 26,
27). [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003]
COMMENTARY PEARL
God is serious about what we allow to
captivate our hearts. He wants us to give Him and His
Word first place because He knows this is best
for us. "Keeping" our heart involves guarding it
from being consumed by even good things, such as
work, hobbies, ministry, or even family. Even a
godly desire can capture our hearts in an ungodly
way. When every prayer and every conversation
revolves around "that thing," that may be the thing
we need to bring to the Lord and set down.
When Netflix became big a few years ago,
a friend offered me a subscription. I was
fascinated because I desired to write for television
someday. So, for "research" purposes, I started
watching one show after another and soon found myself
binge watching into the wee hours. (The streaming
services are great at "suggesting" new programs you
might like even before you've finished the last
one: click here for the next binge.) So for
months I let crime stories, mysteries, dark
political dramas, and unholy romances into my heart
nightly. What started as an innocent pastime became
more like a drug. I forgot about other after-work
obligations in order to have my fix.
Fortunately, Jesus is the friend who
sticks closer than a brother. He helped me see how
these shows were slowly warping my view of real
people and my attitude toward life in general.
Sarcasm and negativity were creeping into my heart
and coming out of my mouth. Thank God, He
interrupted my binge and turned my heart back toward
things that are pure, lovely, and of good report
(Philippians 4:8). Pamela Toussaint Howard
Faith Step: What are you bingeing on?
Talk to Jesus. Listen and obey. [Mornings With
Jesus 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
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
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
To keep your heart in heaven, will give
vigor to all your graces, and put life into all
your duties. To discipline the mind to dwell upon
heavenly things, will put life and earnestness into
all our endeavors. As exercise increases the
appetite, and gives strength and healthy vigor to the
body, so will devotional exercises bring an
increase of grace and spiritual vigor. 3BC1157
CLOSING THOUGHT
I am often reminded of the importance of
what I allow to remain in my heart (thoughts and
attitudes). A guard keeps watch over an area in order to
keep it safe, and that is what God wants us to do
concerning our heart.
What is in our hearts will eventually be
demonstrated in one way or another, so it is pointless to
think that we can hide what is in our heart. Our
thoughts and attitudes affect us in either a positive
or a negative way. As Gods Word teaches, the
very springs of life flow out of the heart.
Are you carefully guarding your heart on
a regular basis? If not, please begin doing so
right away.
Father, help me guard my heart and only
allow things to dwell in me that are pleasing to
You. [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
ONE LINER
We may close every door to impure imaginings
and unholy thoughts by lifting the soul into the
presence of God through sincere prayer. SC99
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Proverbs 4:23 - Your Mind and Your Destiny.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160117-1005.html
Proverbs 4:23 - GUARD YOUR HEART!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201115-1118.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
