The Guarded Heart (revisited)
Again posting on the subject of the heart, in keeping with my impending third angiogram this year on July 12.
The Guarded Heart
Proverbs 4:23 instructs us: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
What does a guarded heart look like? What kind of diligence is required?
First, it is a cleansed heart, aware of what Jeremiah 17:9 says of its natural condition: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."
Then, it knows that it is one not fully committed to "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" much less loving its neighbor as itself (Matthew 22:37-39).
Further, it is responsive to the whole Word of God, not just the parts it likes.
It understands the need to guard the eyes as Job 31:1 and Matthew 5:27-28 note.
It takes heed to guarding its path/walk and ears as Proverbs 5:4-14 commands.
It is in agreement with this also: "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess out sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9).
It is conscious of the need to do this: "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).
It prays with the Psalmist: "Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You" (Psalm 25:20).
It also makes this commitment: "... 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence" (Psalm 39:1)
It reiterates Psalm 141:3 as a prayer: "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."
In this, it agrees with what James wrote in his letter regarding the tongue (chapter 3).
Diligence, according to Dictionary.com, is a noun defined first as constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind; second as a legal term meaning the degree of care or caution required by the circumstances of a person.
Considering these definitions, read these sections from Peter's second letter:
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also [referring back to the previous verses], applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge" (1:2-5; read through verse 10)
"You therefore, beloved, knowing beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (3:17-18)
The guarded heart, then, is a fully guarded thing, from eyes to ears to mouth to feet, growing in discernment, grace, and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Guarded Heart
Proverbs 4:23 instructs us: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
What does a guarded heart look like? What kind of diligence is required?
First, it is a cleansed heart, aware of what Jeremiah 17:9 says of its natural condition: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked."
Then, it knows that it is one not fully committed to "loving the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" much less loving its neighbor as itself (Matthew 22:37-39).
Further, it is responsive to the whole Word of God, not just the parts it likes.
It understands the need to guard the eyes as Job 31:1 and Matthew 5:27-28 note.
It takes heed to guarding its path/walk and ears as Proverbs 5:4-14 commands.
It is in agreement with this also: "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess out sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9).
It is conscious of the need to do this: "Little children, guard yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).
It prays with the Psalmist: "Guard my soul and deliver me; do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You" (Psalm 25:20).
It also makes this commitment: "... 'I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence" (Psalm 39:1)
It reiterates Psalm 141:3 as a prayer: "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips."
In this, it agrees with what James wrote in his letter regarding the tongue (chapter 3).
Diligence, according to Dictionary.com, is a noun defined first as constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind; second as a legal term meaning the degree of care or caution required by the circumstances of a person.
Considering these definitions, read these sections from Peter's second letter:
"Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also [referring back to the previous verses], applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge" (1:2-5; read through verse 10)
"You therefore, beloved, knowing beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (3:17-18)
The guarded heart, then, is a fully guarded thing, from eyes to ears to mouth to feet, growing in discernment, grace, and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
posted by Ebeth | 8:35 AM
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