Guarding Your Heart
10/02/2024
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. — Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Our hearts are precious. They are the wellspring of life, the core of who we are, and the driving force behind our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us of the importance of guarding our hearts with diligence because our entire life—our words, decisions, and attitudes—flows from it.
Why is it important to guard your heart?
Imagine your heart is like a garden. A gardener carefully plants seeds, waters them, and pulls out weeds that may threaten the growth of healthy plants. In the same way, we must be intentional about what we allow into our hearts. We live in a world full of influences—some positive and others negative. What we take in through our eyes, ears, and thoughts can either build us up or tear us down.
Consider social media. If we constantly scroll through posts that foster envy, comparison, or negativity, over time, our hearts will be affected. Those seeds of discontent will grow, influencing how we view our circumstances and even how we treat others. On the other hand, if we feed our hearts with God’s Word, encouraging relationships, and prayer, we will produce the fruit of peace, joy, and love.
Here are some practical steps you can take to guard your heart.
Examine Your Inputs
What are you allowing into your heart? Zig Ziglar used to say “Garbage in, garbage out.” In other words, the music you listen to, the shows you watch, and the conversations you engage in can either strengthen or weaken your spiritual guard. Take a moment today to evaluate what fills your mind on a daily basis. Are these things drawing you closer to God or away from Him?
Set Boundaries
Just like a wall protects a home, boundaries protect your heart. Be mindful of the relationships you nurture. Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you in your walk with Christ. If certain situations or conversations lead you away from God’s peace, it’s okay to step away and protect your heart.
Renew Your Mind Daily
Why does it seem to always come back to the first 15? Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are true, noble, and pure. The way to guard our hearts is to fill our minds with God’s truth. Make a habit of spending time in Scripture daily, allowing God’s Word to filter out anything harmful that may try to take root in your heart. If you do this at the beginning of your day, I promise you will notice a huge difference in your life.
I recall a time when I allowed worry to consume my thoughts. I was constantly thinking about the “what-ifs” of life. The more I dwelled on those anxious thoughts, the more they impacted my emotions and actions. It wasn’t until I made the conscious decision to guard my heart, turning off negative news feeds and turning to God in prayer, that I experienced peace. My circumstances hadn’t changed, but the condition of my heart had.
So, how about you? What are some areas where you need to set boundaries to guard your heart? How can you fill your heart with more of God’s truth this week?
Dear Lord, help me to guard my heart with diligence. Let Your Word be the filter through which I see the world, and may I fill my heart with Your truth and love. Show me the areas where I need to set boundaries and protect my heart from negative influences. Thank You for guiding me and giving me peace. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. — Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Our hearts are precious. They are the wellspring of life, the core of who we are, and the driving force behind our thoughts, actions, and decisions. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us of the importance of guarding our hearts with diligence because our entire life—our words, decisions, and attitudes—flows from it.
Why is it important to guard your heart?
Imagine your heart is like a garden. A gardener carefully plants seeds, waters them, and pulls out weeds that may threaten the growth of healthy plants. In the same way, we must be intentional about what we allow into our hearts. We live in a world full of influences—some positive and others negative. What we take in through our eyes, ears, and thoughts can either build us up or tear us down.
Consider social media. If we constantly scroll through posts that foster envy, comparison, or negativity, over time, our hearts will be affected. Those seeds of discontent will grow, influencing how we view our circumstances and even how we treat others. On the other hand, if we feed our hearts with God’s Word, encouraging relationships, and prayer, we will produce the fruit of peace, joy, and love.
Here are some practical steps you can take to guard your heart.
Examine Your Inputs
What are you allowing into your heart? Zig Ziglar used to say “Garbage in, garbage out.” In other words, the music you listen to, the shows you watch, and the conversations you engage in can either strengthen or weaken your spiritual guard. Take a moment today to evaluate what fills your mind on a daily basis. Are these things drawing you closer to God or away from Him?
Set Boundaries
Just like a wall protects a home, boundaries protect your heart. Be mindful of the relationships you nurture. Surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you in your walk with Christ. If certain situations or conversations lead you away from God’s peace, it’s okay to step away and protect your heart.
Renew Your Mind Daily
Why does it seem to always come back to the first 15? Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are true, noble, and pure. The way to guard our hearts is to fill our minds with God’s truth. Make a habit of spending time in Scripture daily, allowing God’s Word to filter out anything harmful that may try to take root in your heart. If you do this at the beginning of your day, I promise you will notice a huge difference in your life.
I recall a time when I allowed worry to consume my thoughts. I was constantly thinking about the “what-ifs” of life. The more I dwelled on those anxious thoughts, the more they impacted my emotions and actions. It wasn’t until I made the conscious decision to guard my heart, turning off negative news feeds and turning to God in prayer, that I experienced peace. My circumstances hadn’t changed, but the condition of my heart had.
So, how about you? What are some areas where you need to set boundaries to guard your heart? How can you fill your heart with more of God’s truth this week?
Dear Lord, help me to guard my heart with diligence. Let Your Word be the filter through which I see the world, and may I fill my heart with Your truth and love. Show me the areas where I need to set boundaries and protect my heart from negative influences. Thank You for guiding me and giving me peace. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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