God intends for us to guard our hearts. Heart is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, specifically dealing with our thoughts and emotions. Why is our heart so important?
Jesus considers our heart to be of the utmost importance because it’s our source of life. Jesus said that from our hearts flows good and evil based on what we have stored within it. Whatever is stored within our heart dictates what we speak, what we look at, and where we go. Our heart is our thought life, our emotions, and the things that motivate and mold us. Proverbs 23:7 says “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”. It’s our thoughts, positive, or negative, that control our attitude, and our attitude leads to our actions. An unguarded heart allows evil thoughts to creep in leading us to act outside of God’s will.
God destroyed an entire civilization because they didn’t guard their hearts. In Genesis 6:5, it reads “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great on earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was evil continually before God”. The collective thought life of society during that time subsequently brought about the flood and nearly the total destruction of mankind.
As we reflect on the importance of guarding our hearts, you may wonder, how can we guard our hearts? In a world where social media, entertainment, and outside influences all come at us so fast - what do we do?
Romans 12:2 tells us to not conform to this world but be transformed through the renewal of our minds. Plainly put, we must make it a priority to store up on the word of God, reading the Bible and spending time in God’s presence through prayer and meditation. God changes us by changing how we think. But the change can only happen when God himself is in our heart. When he is, we think right, we live right, and our actions are in line with His will.
God has a plan for you, an amazing, mind-blowing, wonderful plan for you. So, above all else, guard your heart, and let God manifest His plan for your life.
Prayer
Father, I pray that you give me wisdom to guard my heart, against negativity, fears, anxieties, and lies. Lord, allow my heart to be completely filled with and led by You. I thank you in advance for filling my heart with Your word and allowing my thoughts to spring forth life. In Jesus' name, Amen.