Are You Guarding Your Heart?
If I only had one chance to talk to the newly sanctified, what would I tell them? If I only had one chance to say some words of encouragement to those who have been on this way for a good while, what would I tell them? I would say, “Guard Your Heart!”
This has been on my heart for quite a while now and prayerfully God will take the lead.
You may ask, “Why is guarding your heart so important?” The scripture tells us in Romans 10 verses 9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Exhortation can be found in Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Yes, we have a responsibility to help guard our hearts! Remember God has given us a new heart and has taken away the stony heart. The enemy would love nothing more than to put a little wedge of doubt, confusion, bitterness, anger or strife into our new hearts. Oh! How quickly our hearts can change and deceive us if we are not vigilant. Thankfully, we are taught by God’s word how to do this.
Through my experience I have found this verse very helpful. Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.” Don’t even entertain the idea of discussing or arguing with the devil. Turn it over to God and the enemy will flee. Remember the battle has already been won! If our conversations, whether they be thoughts in our head or spoken are not edifying to our relationship with our heavenly father; then they are in vain. We have a choice on how we react to emotions or conflict as they arise in our lives. If we commit our thoughts to God, he will lead us in the right paths.
Another way to help guard our hearts is to stay focused on God. Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us to, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
The following is borrowed from different sources: Ask yourself, “Where am I spending my time, energy, and money?” Also, practice consistently CPR - (attending Church, Praying, and Reading your bible). A dear sister taught me to look for God moving in my life. She was so right! The more that I look, the more that I see, the more thankful I am. There are so many verses in the bible about coming before our father with thanksgiving. Let’s put up a wall of thanksgiving around our hearts!
Lastly, meditate and stand on God’s promises. Philippians 4:7-8, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of a good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Another verse I reference frequently, Psalms 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Only by the Holy Spirit can we have this new heart, and God has promised to keep our hearts. Now let’s do our part of guarding our hearts by neither giving place to the devil, staying focused on God, meditating and standing on his promises. Then we can with God’s help bring to fruition Ephesians 4:32: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Life can be difficult and we all face trying situations, but read Ezekiel 36:24-28 for additional promises from God. Let’s let God do his work, do our part, and encourage others to guard their hearts.
-Sis. Marsha Reese
