“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Our hearts—our feelings of love and desire—dictate to a great extent how we live, because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires: Don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.
Proverbs 4:23 instructs believers to, “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” When Solomon refers to guarding the heart, he really means the inner core of a person, the thoughts, feelings, desires, will, and choices that make that person who he/she is. The Bible tells us that our thoughts often dictate who we become (Proverbs 23:7; 27:19). The mind of a man reflects who he really is, not simply his actions or words. That is why God examines the heart of a man, not simply his outward appearance and what he appears to be (1 Samuel 16:7). (Tyndale Study Bible)
Just as there are many diseases and disorders that can affect the physical heart, there are many ailments of the spiritual heart that can impair growth and development as a believer. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries due to accumulated cholesterol plaques and scarring in the artery walls. Hardening of the spiritual heart can also occur. Hardening of the heart occurs when we are presented with God’s truth, and we refuse to acknowledge or accept it.
So a man thinks so, is he! What a statement yet very true. I remember this, “I had an intense burning desire to become a Champion triathlete.” These words were written on small yellow cards, named affirmation cards. A reminder of what your goal is. I always wonder how many people in the world apply this principle to their daily spiritual and physical lives?
Over the years it’s apparent that you will live longer and have a better quality of life if you exercise and eat correctly. If you are in good shape physically, you will have a great quality of life.
The same applies to your spirit life. Above in the commentary, it gives you a clear instruction for perfect spiritual life. Here is a couple of them.
* Put boundaries on your desires
* Don’t go after everything you see.
* Keep your eyes fixed on goals
* Don’t get sidetracked
* Keep your mouth free of perversity.
* Keep corrupt talk from your lips
* Fix your gaze before you.
* Give careful thought to the path of your feet.
I remember, growing up we sought all sorts of activity for fulfilment. None of it was lasting. We thought that physical activity would give you inner peace. The only lasting peace is mental peace. Many things in this world will rob you of that. That is why Solomon says to guard your heart. My experience is that all the instructions to achieve that is in the Bible. Just take the time to study it.
“Lord I thank you for salvation and Your Word the Bible. I pray that all people will be touched the way I am. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.
