My eight-year-old nephew Owen has a treasure box where he keeps all of the things that are special to him. He has told me that he keeps this treasure box filled with all of his prized possessions in a very special place where no one else can find them. He has discovered a principle that we all understand: we guard what is important to us. We guard things like our homes, our cars, our heirlooms from family members, computers, and more. These things may be valuable to us, but Scripture teaches that there are things that are far more valuable than these earthly possessions, and at the top of that list is our own hearts.
Jesus explained in Matthew 12 just how valuable our hearts are. In this passage of Scripture, He explained that our hearts determine the words we say (verse 34). Indeed, when anger is stored in our hearts, angry words come out. When our hearts are filled with joy, our words will reflect our joy. As a result, if we want to speak words that bring life and point others to Christ, we must carefully protect our hearts. The writer of Proverbs 4 says it this way: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of life" (verse 23). The purpose of guarding is to protect something by keeping anything dangerous away. Guarding our hearts means protecting them from the things of this world that tempt us and lead us toward sin and saying words we regret that do not reflect Christ. We also guard our hearts to protect ourselves against anything that keeps us from following and obeying Christ. We do this by carefully monitoring the words, the people, and the things that we allow to influence us. In addition to protecting our hearts from the things that draw us away from Christ, guarding our hearts also calls us to watch, listen to, and read things that point us to Christ and spend time with people who encourage us to grow in our relationships with Him.
We must take this call to guard our hearts seriously if we want to honor God with the words we say. When it comes to guarding your heart, how are you doing? Are you carefully monitoring your heart and what you let in? Are you guarding against things that distract you from your desire to obey and follow Jesus? There is a battle going on over our hearts. It is time for us to fight for our hearts. After all, it "determines the course of your life."
Take some time to evaluate how you have been guarding your heart. Is there anything you have let into your life that has influenced you negatively or distracted you from God? Are there any people who constantly tempt you to live in a way that dishonors God or keeps you from taking your relationship with God seriously? Take note of what is going well. Where is there room for improvement? Name one step to better guard your heart that you can implement beginning today, and start taking that step now. The way we guard our hearts will impact all areas of our lives, so we must take God's command in Scripture to guard our hearts seriously.
1 My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, 2 for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. 3 For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. 4 My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. 5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. 6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. 8 If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. 9 She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” 10 My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. 12 When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. 13 Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life. 14 Don’t do as the wicked do, and don’t follow the path of evildoers. 15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way. Turn away and keep moving. 16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day. They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble. 17 They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence! 18 The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. 20 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. 21 Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, 22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
