Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
Meditation: Gary Rosberg has written a great book based on this passage and it highlights the importance of this statement in the midst of Solomon’s instructions for Godly living. If we allow bitterness, anger, lust or discontentment to seep into our heart, it will eventually cause us to fall. Men don’t fall to sin, divorce, or adultery in an instant. But how often do we hear men say that one day, they just fell into an adulterous relationship. Essentially, everything was fine and one day, the temptation was too much and they blew it. Not so! Had they been guarding their heart, the temptation would not have been too much. In fact, before falling to sin, they had most likely thought about it and even fantasized about it. That is what put them into a position where they could easily fall. Whatever sin may be lurking at our door, brothers, we have got to slam the door on it early. We cannot let lust, greed, bitterness, discontentment, or “stuff” creep into our lives and into our hearts.
What do we need to do to guard our heart? Keep that relationship with the Lord alive and vibrant. Keep it growing! Through worship, prayer, study of the Word, fellowship with believers, and serving the Lord we grow in our relationship with Him. In the process, we guard our heart. We might be tempted to thoughts that are not right: lusting after another woman, a car, “toys”, or the material things of the world. It may also be harboring anger or resentment against our wife, family, employer. Whatever Satan may bring to our door, we have got to slam the door on it right away. We can’t toy with it. Turn to the Lord and give it to Him.
Challenge: Are you guarding your heart? Do you have a growing, vibrant relationship with the Lord? If so, praise God! Keep on and help others to do the same. If you don’t have that defense system built in yet, get to work on it today. Seek the help of a trusted brother or a pastor. Find out how you can get your relationship with the Lord into a growth mode. Don’t wait for the fall. Do whatever it takes today to stay in a close relationship with the Lord!
Thought for the Day: Lord, help me to remain close to You, to do the things I need to do to guard my heart.
Chris Garner
Used by permission – Fortified Marriages.