Guard your Heart

Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences. Proverbs 4:23

When I am looking for a deeper understanding of a scripture, after looking at different versions, I love to utilize Blue Letter Bible for a look into the words of the passage. 

Proverbs 4:23

Guard – Natsar <1407> <H5341>

I. To guard, watch over, keep

II. To preserve, guard from danger

III. To keep, observe, guard with fidelity

IV. To guard, keep secret

Heart – leb <H3820> The inner man – mind, will, heart, understanding

Will – Nephesh <H5315> soul, self, life, creative, passion, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

 

What goes on in my mind, will, heart and understanding will direct the consequences of my life.  This will determine where my life heads which has a great impact.  It is my job to carefully watch what gets in my mind.  I have to take thoughts captive and really watch what I see and hear.

I think my will is where I struggle the most.  Thoughts I have learned to take captive.  My emotions, don’t run my life.  I understand who is really in control – God.  I struggle though with my appetite and desire.  I get side tracked by my passions and desires.  I let my appetite get the best of me and the consequence is putting my will above God’s will.

That is a harsh reality.  I have something that I have placed before God because I have not guarded my heart.

How do I bring that into check with God.  How do I surrender my appetite, desires and let Him focus my passions?  It seems I have so much to learn still.

Prayer:  Lord, I am in uncharted territory again.  I don’t know how to guard my heart – my appetite, my desires and my passions,  Lord, I lack wisdom and I need it because I don’t want anything to be before You, especially something of my own making. 

Lord, show me how to guard my appetite and get this weight under control.

Make my desires Your desires.

Show me how to not get sidetracked by my passionate pursuits, even those that are from You.  

I want to learn to guard my heart.  You are my ultimate protector.  Teach me your way, I don’t know how and I can’t do it on my own.