April 8 | Guard Your Heart

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 1

Scripture | Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Lesson 8 | Guard Your Heart

I had the honor of growing up in a Christian home with godly parents.  Both of my parents still love Jesus today and set forth a great example of faithfulness to the Lord.  One of my Dad’s trademarks is to always tell me, “Guard your heart and protect your testimony.”

His fatherly advice is rooted in this precious proverb.  However, King Solomon watched his father David suffer because he didn’t guard his own heart.  The Bible records that when David was supposed to be at war he decided to stay home and spend time gazing from his palace roof.  On one occasion King David saw a married woman bathing and lusted after her.  He then had sex with her and she became pregnant. 

However, David didn’t confess his sin immediately, but rather tried to conceal it by bringing her husband home from war to sleep with her so that everyone would think it was his baby.  When the godly man refused to dishonor his troops by indulging in sex with his wife- David had the man placed in the most dangerous part of a battle and then commanded his general to withdraw his troops so the man would be killed, 2 Samuel 11.

Therefore, because David didn't guard his heart he became a liar, adulterer, and murderer.  The powerful lesson King Solomon is teaching is simple, “above all else, guard your heart!”  For from your heart (your inner emotions and desires) is the source of your life.  Just like how the physical heart is the source of blood to the whole body, so the inner heart is the source of life to the entire soul (your mind, will, and emotions).  Plus, just like the rib cage guards your physical heart you must let the Holy Spirit with God’s Word guard your inner heart. 

Here are some practical ways to guard your heart, (1) Guard your eyes and what you look at for it can become lust, (2) Guard how you spend and acquire money because it can become greed, (3) Guard your temper because it can become full of bitterness and wrath, (4) Guard your words for they can become perverted and unwholesome, and (5) Guard your thoughts because they can become doubtful and sinful.    

Reflection | What do you need to guard your heart from today?

Action | (1) Ask God to reveal any areas of your life your heart has been invaded by sin. (2) Ask God to remove any sin or doubt from your heart. (3) Lastly, everyday protect and guard your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit and obedience to God’s Word.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalm 78:56-64, &Proverbs 12:24. Click here to read online.