Above all else, guard your heart,
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs is written in the form of advice given from a father to his son. And this is especially true in the first few chapters. The father is encouraging his son to walk in the paths of wisdom and avoid the evil that is so enticing to a young man.
Guard Your Heart
And he tells him here, “above all else, guard your heart.” This is the most crucial piece of advice he has to give to his son. Guard your heart. The heart was the center of who a person was. In Luke 6:45, Jesus taught that what we do reflects what is in our hearts. So, as followers of the Lord Jesus, we need to protect our hearts and keep them pure. Guard against the corrupting influence of the world around us.
How can I do that? By filling my mind with godly things, investing time in the Scripture, and spending time with other believers. By choosing not to watch that show promoting a lifestyle contrary to the godly life I am called to live. Or by choosing not to hang out with people who do not share my values.
When I fail to invest in godly pursuits or intentionally expose myself to ungodly influences, I fail to guard my heart. Guarding our hearts is not an easy task. But it is oh so important for the one who would seek to live a life that is pleasing to our Lord.
