Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23
I always wondered what guarding your heart really meant. After years of practical Christian living, I now know what it means.
I’ve often heard people greet me and ask, “How’s life treating you today?”. Greeting someone this way may sound cool, but it assumes that you are a victim of “life”. But God’s word says, our own heart determines the course of our lives. Our own heart got us to the place we are in today. So, it is not about how life is treating us, but how we are treating life which is a gift from God.
I recently purchased some mangoes from the supermarket. They looked beautiful and juicy and was very tempting. But when I cut them open at home, much of it was rotten inside. I was so disappointed. They looked so tempting and perfect from the outside. How could they be so ugly within? Prior to knowing God, I too was like this mango. I was kind, compassionate, and loving on the outside for the world to see, but my heart was rotten, and it was determining the course of my life indeed, to a life of failure, frustration, anger, pride, lust, jealousy, and depression.
As imperfect and sinful humans, our hearts are influenced by our personal experiences derived from our five physical senses. Our senses determine our thoughts, and our thoughts influence our hearts. Imagine your heart as a garden – a vibrant and thriving space where the seeds of your thoughts, emotions, and desires are planted. Just like a gardener tends to their garden, God calls us to be diligent guardians of our hearts. Why? Because everything we do, every action and reaction, flows from the condition of our hearts.
Jesus said, “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.” Luke 6:45
Picture yourself driving in heavy traffic, running late for an important meeting. Someone cuts you off, and frustration builds up within you. Your initial reaction might be to honk the horn or mutter some choice words under your breath. In this moment, your heart is exposed, and the condition of your heart influences your response. Guarding your heart means choosing a different response. Instead of letting frustration take root, you could take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, and extend grace to the driver who cut you off. In doing so, you’re tending to the garden of your heart, ensuring that love, patience, and understanding flourish, even in challenging situations.
Yes, this is easier said than done. But consistent intentional practice becomes default response eventually. And that is growing in Christlikeness.
Pick up a glass full of water and hold it in your hand. Now shake the glass vigorously. Obviously, the water is going to spill out. Now, why did the water spill out? You say, “Because I shook the glass”. Wrong answer!! It is because there WAS water in the glass when you shook it. Whatever is in the glass will pour out when you shake it. If there is anger, pride, jealousy, or unforgiveness in your heart, then choice words that reflect these emotions will pour out of your mouth when someone irritates or annoys you (shakes you). If your heart is full of love, compassion and grace, then that’s what will pour out of you when someone irritates or annoys you.
Intentionally guarding your heart will ensure you become Christ like in your mannerisms. You too will be loving, compassionate, patient, and gracious in your speech.
The verse for today is a call to make guarding our hearts a priority in our daily lives.
So, practically, how do we guard our hearts?
- Stay rooted in God’s Word: Just as a plant in a garden needs water and nourishment to grow, our heart needs the Word of God to thrive. Regularly spending time in Scripture allows it to shape our thoughts which in turn influences our hearts. Not doing so will allow worldly experiences to shape our thoughts which in turn influences our hearts.
- Choose your influences: Be mindful of what you watch on TV and social media. Be mindful of the people you allow into your life. Be mindful of the words you speak and the songs you listen to. In other words, be mindful of your five physical senses that determine your life experiences, which in turn influence your heart.
- Pray continuously: Develop a habit of talking to God throughout the day. It is like regularly watering your heart’s garden, ensuring it remains fertile and vibrant.
- Guard your thoughts: Be intentional about the thoughts you entertain. Replace negative and condemning thoughts with positive affirmations rooted in God’s promises.
As we adhere to these practical tips daily, with time, our hearts will reset itself to godliness, and will determine the course of your new life. A life that is full and good, full of peace, joy, love, and contentment.
Jesus said, “A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life – life that is full and good.” John 10:10 ERV
Guarding your heart is a daily, ongoing process. It’s about making conscious choices that align with God’s principles in the midst of life’s ups and downs. By doing so, you’ll find that the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – flourish in your heart and overflow into every aspect of your life.
As you go about your day, take a moment to reflect on Proverbs 4:23. How can you actively guard your heart in various situations today, ensuring that the love and wisdom of God guide your thoughts and actions?