Proverbs 4:23-27
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
In verse 23 we are commanded to "keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life". The imagery of flowing springs of life suggests that this is where goodness and love can grow. But the warning to keep (or "guard" in NIV translation) the heart with all vigilance suggests that it is easily ruined if we are not careful. What is in your heart? Is it lust and immorality? Or is it purity, peace, and righteousness?There is a connection between what is in our hearts and the fruit of our life. It is like the computer saying, "garbage in, garbage out". If we fill our hearts with garbage, our life will produce garbage.
Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
In verse 23 we are commanded to "keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life". The imagery of flowing springs of life suggests that this is where goodness and love can grow. But the warning to keep (or "guard" in NIV translation) the heart with all vigilance suggests that it is easily ruined if we are not careful. What is in your heart? Is it lust and immorality? Or is it purity, peace, and righteousness?There is a connection between what is in our hearts and the fruit of our life. It is like the computer saying, "garbage in, garbage out". If we fill our hearts with garbage, our life will produce garbage.
Heavenly Father, help me to guard my heart.