“Let God be the keeper of your heart. For He knows, (better than you)
who is deserving of it.” (Anonymous)
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) instructs us all
to “Guard
your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.” Guarding the heart
refers to the inner core of a person. This is their thoughts, feelings,
desires, will, and choices that make that person who they are. Our thoughts
often dictate who we become.
Just as there are many diseases that can affect the physical heart, there are many ailments of the spiritual heart that can impair development. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries due to accumulated cholesterol plaques and scarring in the artery walls. Hardening of the spiritual heart can occur when we are presented with God’s truth, and we refuse accept it.
Heart murmurs are abnormal flow patterns due to faulty heart valves. Heart valves act as doors to prevent the backward flow of blood into the heart. Spiritual heart murmurs occur when complaining and gossip occur. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude and trust is vital in protecting the heart.
Congestive heart failure is an inability of the heart to successfully pump blood through the body due to weaknesses within its walls. Congestive heart failure can result from hypertension (high blood pressure), myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and abnormal enlargement of the heart. Anger acts like a poison on the body, both physically and spiritually, and makes someone more vulnerable to the temptation of hurting others with both our actions and words.
Sin always begins in the mind. A person must constantly think on an action before it becomes reality. Your heart is the most important leadership tool you have. It is necessary to “guard your heart” for three main reasons:
1.
Your heart is extremely valuable: We don’t guard
worthless things. Your heart is the
essence of who you are. It is your authentic self, the core of your being. It is where all your dreams, your desires, and your
passions live. It is that part of you that connects with God and other people.
2.
Your heart is the source of everything you do: Your
heart overflows into thoughts, words, and actions. If you plug up the spring,
you stop the flow of water. If you poison the water, the flow becomes toxic. In
either situation, you threaten life downstream. Everything depends on the
condition of the spring.
Likewise, 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.
3.
Your heart is under constant attack: You
are living in a combat zone, one in which there are casualties. Many of us are
oblivious to the reality of this war. We have an enemy who is bent on our
destruction. He not only opposes God, but he opposes everything that is aligned
with Him (including us).
The
Enemy uses all kinds of weapons to attack our heart. Attacks often come in the
form of some circumstance that leads to disappointment, discouragement, or even
disillusionment. In these situations, you may be tempted to quit and surrender.
“Open your book of life only to a
few people. Because in this world very few care to understand the chapters;
others are just curious to know.” (Anonymous)[i]
[i] Sources used:
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