Guard Your Heart       7-30-06

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23.

Why do we often speak of the heart? It is a hollow muscular organ, which, by contracting rhythmically keeps up the circulation of the blood. It is the most essential part of any body; and is regarded as the seat of spiritual or conscious life, soul, and spirit. My Asbury Bible Commentary describes the heart as the seat of emotions, and the function of the mind and will is attributed to the heart in Proverbs 4:23.

Oh for an honest heart. A heart that is set against sin and that practices regular self-search to prevent self-deceit. Since your heart is the wellspring of your life, the Devil will pull out all stops to prevent you from being honest in heart. The Devil wants you to be Self-conscious, Self-absorbed, Self-indulgent, Self-pitying; that’s why “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Jesus demands that his disciples give their full allegiance and devotion to God - the quality of personal character (the heart) is determined by the object of commitment and devotion. What we believe and feel are the precious and meaningful things in life. It is when we choose to walk with Jesus that we can find out what true riches are. True riches are not lots of money, nice clothes, the right car, or a big house. Only when we free ourselves from the pursuit of such things, that we can begin to enjoy the way God intended. Christ is the real treasure, and as long as our hearts remain with Him, our lives will be truly rich.

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we lose sight of what is really important in life. Help us to keep focused on your truth. Enable us to show others that you are the real treasure in life. Amen.

Luther McCollum