February 13 - Proverbs 4:23

February 13
Proverbs 4:23

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. NLT

Our hearts are like wellsprings of all of our thoughts, which include our will and emotions. The Bible warns us to avoid a hard or double heart, a proud, an unbelieving or unclean heart. The last thing we want to do is pollute our wellspring, for when we do, our whole wellspring becomes infected and corrupt.

If or when someone says or does something that either hurts or angers us, it becomes so easy for our emotions to react and become infected. That then can motivate us to activate our will by saying or doing things we may regret. Or, on the other end, we often stuff those emotions to where it infests and pollutes our heart even more. Now compile these emotions over and over and the wellspring of our heart becomes strongly polluted and affects the course of our life in ways that go contrary to the will of God for our lives.

Now, let’s look at the heart that remains guarded against negative emotions - life is very different. Pollution cannot come in when the water in the wellspring remains pure. Those who guard their hearts above all else, enjoy life like fresh water flowing from the wellspring.

While it is not easy to guard or keep our hearts in the midst of emotional situations, God has the remedy for keeping our hearts pure. How then do we guard our hearts above all else? What does God’s Word say:

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things… and the God of peace will be with you.

Prayer: Forgive me Lord where I have not guarded my heart. Help me purpose to guard my heart in all situations.

I declare:  I choose to guard my heart – for I know that determines the course of my life