This is a really important conversation, especially in the kind of world we live in today.
Rom 4:23 – Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it flows the issues of life. (NKJV)
People guard the wrong things. Their cars, their property, their phone. You have a case for your phones, but not a shield for your heart to extinguish the flaming arrows of the devil (Eph 6: 16).
People protect the wrong things too much and protect the right things too little.
The heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person. It is the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide.
What does it really mean to guard your heart:
It means to secure, defend, protect, pay attention to your heart, be vigilant to the gate of your heart.
The Bible text in Prov 4:23 means the condition of your heart determines the direction of your life.
We’d be focusing on three (3) aspects in the conversation – Significance of the heart, Struggles of the heart and Solution for the heart – The 3S.
Let’s look at the first one
A. The significance of the heart
1. The center of God’s interest/ The heart is the focal point:
In Jer. 17:10 – I, the Lord search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways…
Therefore, if the heart is the center of interest to God, it must be well guarded
2. The heart is the center of illumination:
When the light of God shines upon someone, it first shines in their heart. According to Rom 10:10 – For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation – the effect of the gospel in someone’s life starts in the heart.
Your relationship with God starts with the heart, and the climax of that relationship is when you see Jesus – the condition of the heart (the starting point) must be right/pure.
3. The centre of inner life/ the core of your being
According to (1 Pt 3:3-4 3.) Do not let your adornment be merely outward arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel 4.) rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
It is in the quality of your heart. For men, it isn’t in your six packs, it is in the quality of your heart.
Your value or worth isn’t determined by those external factors, but the internal quality of your heart. All the emotional feelings, financial decisions, relationship issues start from the heart.
On spiritual matters – the heart is the seat of belief and the basis of doubt. If your heart is unhealthy, it has an impact on everything else. It threatens your family, your friends, your ministry, your career, and, indeed, your legacy. It is, therefore, imperative that you guard it.
B). Struggles of the Heart
- The heart is housed by the flesh which leaves in this world.
The cares of the world put pressure on the heart. The desire to be better than everyone else. To be rich at all cost irrespective of what compromise is required, even the soul.
Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. We live in a world that is constantly bombarding us with messages, images, and worldviews that are incompatible with a biblical worldview and biblical guidelines for godly behavior.
- All of this unsolicited media exposure is damaging people’s heart:
Complaining and grumbling heart. Stubborn heart and resistance to the Holy Spirit. Congested heart – filthy and dirty. Heart filled with anger and bitterness. Enlarged heart, inflated with ego
Luke 21: 34 says: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap”
C. The solution for the heart (How to guard your heart)
- Set your mind on the right thing
In Phi. 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy THINK on these things.
- Be on your guard
The heart is a depository of treasure (Luke 6:45) It has four access points (the gate): Reception. Retention. Meditation. Expression.
The Bible says in Luke 6:45 – A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil.
For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
If you get careless with the gate of reception, you must be determined to be more careful with the gates of retention, and meditation in order to have good expression (your speech, behaviour, choices, etc.)
Say this prayer:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me, in the name of Jesus.
