ARE YOU ON GUARD DUTY? If not, why not? In God’s Word we are told, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it,” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV). When we lose control of our heart disaster can happen at any time. If a sentry who is on guard duty in the military fails to be vigilant and falls to sleep his actions may cause serious consequences for himself and those depending on him. The same is true of us when we fail to heed God’s instructions to guard our heart; serious consequences may follow. The Hebrew term for “guard” carries the thought or meaning of “to keep above all keepings.” In our lives today there are many things which are essential to guard; things such as our marriage or family, our bank account, or those pesky passwords, our cars or houses or other valuable possessions. Above all the things we must keep guard on is our heart. When we are speaking of our heart we are basically talking about our mind, thoughts, emotions and desires from which flows our actions or conduct.
How do we guard our heart in a manner that allows what flows out of our heart into the world around us to honor God and produce fruit for His Kingdom? The Apostle Paul relates to us that such guard duty will be costly to us. He said, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will,” (Romans 12:1-2 NIV). When we submit our heart (mind, thoughts, emotions and desires) to the care and inspection of God we will be able to “keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips” and “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you,” (Proverbs 4:24,25 NIV). When our lives are laid before God moment by moment for His direction and purpose the Holy Spirit will work in our lives to assist us in guarding our hearts.
As part of guarding our hearts we are told to “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil,” (Proverbs 4:26-27 NIV). As we seek God’s wisdom to guide us in guarding our heart there are a few simple “rules of the road” noted in these verses in Proverbs (vs. 23-27). First, we are to be careful in our speech which should be “free of perversity” and “free of corrupt talk” which should suggest to us that we think before we speak. Second, we should focus on what lies before us and not get distracted so we must “let your eyes look straight ahead” and “fix your gaze directly before you.” Just as we teach the children, “be careful little eyes what you see” we must also protect our hearts in like manner and keep our eyes on Jesus and not the world. Third, we must realize God’s plan for us and keep our heart fixed on that plan or as the Word says, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Fourth, be aware of sinful situations around you and “Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
In short, run from sin as far and as fast as you can. When we guard our heart three things will be true of us. We will be a light to others in a dark world because Jesus will shine through us. We will be salt to provide spiritual favor in the life of others. We will be used of God to encourage other people that blessings follow those who guard their heart and follow Jesus on this pathway called life. “Above all else, guard your heart.”
CHUCK DAVIS
