Be On Guard

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)  "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Our heart that this scripture speaks of is more than the blood pumping organ in the middle of our chest.  It is the center of our being, like the heart of a tree, it is referring to the core of its trunk, the center.  In the depth of our existence is our heart, our tender spirit, the well where life pours forth.  The only one who can be trusted to enter into this deep place is God, for He is the only one who will not damage it.  We need to guard against the enemy who desires to destroy life.  In reference to a tree again, if a worm or beetle destroys the leaves or branches, the tree will still live and survive, but if an attacking organism destroys the core of the tree, the tree dies.  So it is with humans!

So what kind of things or what kind of people do we guard against?  Anything or anyone that attacks our faith in God, or that pulls us away from His ways.  Anything or anyone that plants organisms of fear, doubt, hate, revenge, backbiting, lying, stealing, cheating, complaining, or any other negative action or thoughts.

As a child's Sunday School song goes...

Oh, be careful little ears, what you hear (repeat)
For the Father Up above,
Is looking down in love,
So be careful little ears what you hear.
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little mouth what you say
Oh, be careful little hands what you do
Oh, be careful little feet where you go
Oh, be careful little mind what you think
Oh, be careful little heart what you love.

All of these are avenues to our innermost being, the place where the enemy is trying his hardest to destroy us.  


May we guard our hearts well, keeping it sacred for the Lord to dwell.