The Biblical heart is the mind of man. We may not realize how the world around us influences our minds and, in turn, our behavior. From a young age, we can be placed into situations where we must endure peer pressure or reap the consequences. Yes, innocence is taken away when told, “Being silly isn’t cool” and “That outfit is not in style.” Without realizing it, we quickly, and sometimes embarrassingly, are influenced to believe that fitting in is the right way to live. It starts small, and if we do not have
someone wiser to show us better, those small decisions will grow and become important life choices.
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” The Hebrew words for “Keep” and “Diligence” both hold the meaning of “guard.” Strong’s Lexicon says the Hebrew word translated here as “keep” gives the thought of protecting or preserving something valuable. Anyone who looks into buying and selling items of value will often first notice the condition of the item and consider the age while also noticing if it has been well preserved. Did the owner show thought and care in how it was treated?
Looking again at Strong’s Lexicon, we find the word that has been translated to “diligence” refers to a place or state of guarding. In a physical sense, a guard is one who stands between two things. A prison guard would be keeping someone from escaping into the world, while a guard at a palace would be standing between anyone who may try to harm what is kept safe inside. Putting these two words together, we realize that we do not stand guard over our heart as if it were a prisoner, but we guard it as we would a precious jewel or piece of art. We are being told to protect it from evil.
The second half of the verse tells us why this job is important.
“…for out of it are the issues of life.” “Out of it” denotes an exiting or leaving and “issues” conveys the thought of an end result. Remembering that the Proverbs are wisdom literature, God is sharing with us the
importance of a well-preserved heart. He wants us to understand if not well-kept, the mind can become corrupt. Because choices are made by way of the understandings of the heart, we have to be sure that we have done well to protect it from the ways and thoughts of man.
A similar thought is brought out in the New Testament’s 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” When we acknowledge that the devil is the prince of this world, and the ways of it lead to death, we will then realize the importance of guarding our hearts against it. Whatever comes in will affect it for good or evil. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45).
Similarly, if we are parents, we have been given the job of raising our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) Their hearts are precious, and if we only have the legal 18 years of being solely responsible for their rearing, it should be done with the utmost consideration and care (Ephesians 5:16).
The question we now have to ask ourselves is, have I been a good guard? If there was right now an inspection of the precious heart I have been instructed to preserve, would it be satisfactory or disheartening?
When it comes to the material we read, the entertainment we consume, and the atmosphere we intentionally place ourselves, has it all been for the good or betterment of my heart or the heart of my family? Have I lead other guards astray? Have I claimed to be an upright guard in word but turned my back or fallen asleep and let the enemy cause damage?
If as a Christian we have failed in this way, thankfully we have a Father ready and willing to forgive if we will but only ask (1 John 1:9). The job we have done guarding our heart will one day receive a final judgment. Will our heart be ready?
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