Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left, remove thy foot from evil. ~ Proverbs 4:23-27

This verse instructs us that guarding our heart includes watching what we say and what we see. We can be influenced by good or by evil. When we allow evil to influence us, our paths are unstable and we will stumble. We make choices that can hurt others and are destructive to ourselves.  When we strive to allow goodness to influence us, we will find that we walk in the security of God's wisdom and love. When we think about guarding our hearts, we must think about the way we speak and what we are speaking about. We must also consider what we allow ourselves to see and look at, and who we keep company with. All of these things affect the condition of our hearts. And why is this so important? Let's look at another verse: 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abunndance of the heart his mouth speaketh. ~ Luke 6:45

LOOKING INSIDE YOUR HEART

What do you have stored up in your heart? If you have trouble answering this question, take a few minutes to think about the way you treat other people. How do you respond to the boy or girl in your class who is mean to you? How do you treat the lonely kid in the neighborhood - the one people make fun of? Are you honest in your dealings with people? Do you encourage your nagging little brother or sister, or do you snap at them to "go away?" The Bible teaches that our attitudes are a result of what is stored up in our hearts.

We store things in our hearts in many different ways. Many things can influence us. Music, books, magazines, friends and family can all have positive or negative influences on us. That is why it's so important to guard your heart and make wise choices with what you watch, listen to, participate in and read. It's important to surround yourself with friends who are also striving to fill themselves up with God's love and positive influences. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth currupt, and where theives break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~ Matthew 6:19-21

GOD'S SPECIAL PROMISE

As we learn to guard our heart, we become pure in heart! And there is a beautiful promise for those who strive to be pure in heart! "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8 What a special privilege for those who are pure in heart! To see God! God always showers down special blessings upon those who seek Him and seek to live their lives to honor Him!

Guarding your heart takes diligence. It takes care. Just as you get up everyday and brush your teeth to avoid cavities and a visit to the dentist, so must you also get into the daily practice of guarding your heart to avoid evil and the devastation it can bring into your life. And God is so much in love with you that He will even lead you and help you everyday! May the following verse remind you that God is on your side, working for you and keeping you safe!

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and your minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth currupt, and where theives break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven. ~ Matthew 6:19&20

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. ~ Luke 6:45

~ The Maiden