Proverbs 4:23 gives us this instruction: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV). To guard and keep your heart means to protect what comes in and goes out. You have to constantly be on guard and keep your heart with all vigilance because it’s the command center for all your words, actions, and desires.
John Flavel, an old Puritan pastor, used the example of guarding your heart like a besieged garrison with enemies on the outside and treacherous citizens on the inside. The imagery is dated, but the idea is good, so let me run with it in a modern equivalent.
Before I was a follower of Christ, I had an unguarded and rebellious heart that engaged in all types of trivial activities. My heart was like a frat house that partied hard (no offense to good wholesome fraternities). I had no restraints on the anger and foul language that came out and that I let in. I had no guard on the amounts of sexual immorality that I expressed and invited in. Greed came out of my heart and freely welcomed new greedy ideas. There was freedom for sin to come out
To continue...read the full-length post originally published on this site.
