guard

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV

The world will tell you to ‘follow your heart,’ Jesus says to guard it.

If our hearts are the source of all action, thoughts and will, then we need hearts turned towards God in order to live wisely. How do we guard our hearts? How do we remain steadfast in all our ways? By keeping company with Jesus, for He is the way of wisdom (Pro 4:25-26). 
Only through faith in Jesus Christ can the heart be renewed (Ez 36:26). Only God’s wisdom is equipped to guide our steps.

By nature, the human heart is deceitful. Proverbs demonstrates this when it says, “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’?” Even Jesus observed this when he explained all sin stems from the heart, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Mt 12:34)."

Be careful what you expose your mind to. Be wise to inscribe truth on your heart. If we simply ‘follow our hearts’ we will be lead by fluctuating feelings and unguarded emotions. Consider the disciple Peter who was certain he could never deny Jesus, yet he did. Under the pressure of it all, Peter denied Jesus three times, exactly as Jesus said he would (Lk 22:34, Mt 26:69-75). 

This makes the point that Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. Our hearts may draw us to Jesus emotionally, but our obedience makes us disciples.

Guard your heart with Christ. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Rely on His sufficient grace. For He is the watchman protecting our souls offering true peace to all who are His (1 Pe 1:5).

reflect:

Proverbs 4:13 says, “Hold onto instruction, do not let it go. Guard it well for it is your life.” How are your holding onto Gods instruction for your life? Are there ways to keep His Word at the forefront of your mind —phone reminders, a Bible reading plan or commentary? How can you filter your circumstances through His Word today?

centering prayer

LORD, guard my heart above all things. amen