Tag: Proverbs

Guard Your Heart: MT e70

In our last time together, we were looking at Psalm 1 and how the people, places and things around us can impact us. 

The phrase, “Guard your heart” was used and this will get our attention today.

Several things can come to mind when the word guard is mentioned. 

One is related to sports.  When playing defense, a person is responsible for guarding an area or even a person. 

Another is like a security detail where one is guarding a business or a house.

In each of these, the desire is to make sure something does not happen.  Gaurding in sports the effort is to keep the opposing team from scoring.  In security, the effort is to keep thieves or unwanted vandals.

The key thought is to prevent something.

Proverbs 4 says to “Guard your heart with all diligence for from it flows the spring of life.”

This reinforces Psalm 1 from our last time.  Walking not in the advice of the wicked or standing in the way of sinners or sitting with those who ridicule IS a one way to guard your heart.

By avoiding situations, people or entertainment where is a method of guarding. 

We guard the things that mean much to us.  In the life of following Christ, purity and righteousness mean much.

Guard it as if your life depends on it. Pray that our Lord may send His Spirit to keep you from harm. 

As always S.D.G.   

Protect Your Heart: MT e52

My daughter has two boys, one that is around 6 months and another which just turned 2.   When you go to her house one does not have to look far to notice that this house has babies.  Even if no one was home it is easy to tell it is a house that has babies.

How so?  Cabinets that have dangerous chemicals have a special lock on so that children can’t open the door.  There are gates to keep the children from falling down stairs.  The house has  many safety features to keep little fingers from danger.

The house has been baby proofed.  As much as possible, the desire is to protect them from danger.  Protection.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

This is a protection passage.  The instruction here is with passion, diligence, be deliberate, on purpose, protect your heart.  Is this the muscle that beats in our chest?

No, this is not a call to watch our sugar intake and get cardio exercise.  Even though I could use that advice as well.

The heart in this passage is the essence of your life.  The mind.  That thing that processes what we see and hear.

This passage is saying, be careful what you see and hear. Be careful what you allow into your world.  This is a baby proofing passage. 

Just as my daughter takes precautions for her boys, this Scripture is saying, take precautions.  Set up boundaries. 

My Lord has taught me to look away.  That is protection.  Keep the danger from entering the mind.  Do this with vigilance. 

When we are faced with the potential of thinking deadly thoughts of lust, anger or anything else like this, guard the heart.  Don’t let it in.  keep the springs of life pure.

As always S.D.G.

Bad Pie & Proverbs 14: MT episode 32

Around the age of 11 there was a moment when I was looking through our deep freezer.  A frozen pie was found, and I was in the mood for pie.

My mother assured me that I would not like the pie, but I could not imagine any pie that I would not enjoy. A respectful argument ensued and oddly, she said, “Ok, I will make the pie.”

This pie was not microwaveable.  It had to be heated in the oven so in about an hour the pie was ready.

Mom was correct.  This pie was absolutely awful! 

How could something with the word PIE in it taste bad?  It was minced meat pie.  To this day, I still do not know the ingredients for minced meat pie but based upon that experience I don’t really care to know.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

This is a strong warning. The writer of Proverbs is making the point that there are times when we may perceive something as right, good, great, fun but in reality, it is not any of those things.

Just like I saw the pie box in the freezer.  It said pie.  I love pie.  I desired something sweet. The picture on the box showed a pie.  It was a circle like a pie.  I desired that pie.

My heart desired the pie but in the end it was horrible.  I had no idea of its ingredients.

In the same way, the world is so appealing.  Just like the picture of the pie on the box was appealing the world appeals to our flesh but in the end, what is delivered is not what we expect. 

My hope today is that any who are younger, please listen to those who are older who may have a helpful word. Any who are struggling with a matter which is at odds with what Scripture teaches, please do not ignore the Spirit’s leading.

Be cautious.  Be aware of the things this fallen flesh desires.  Keep the in mind.  Pray for wisdom and discernment and God will aid and assist you in avoiding disheartening disappointments in your Christian growth.

S.D.G.