Keeping Watch Over Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23-27 (The Message Translation)
 
23 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
24 Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
25 Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
26 Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
27 Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.

There is a reason we use the term “give your heart to the Lord” when we are saved.  Proverbs 4:23 says that is where life starts.  This makes sense since the physical heart beats to start life and stops beating when life ends.  The NIV version says that everything you do flows from the heart.
The interesting thing is that the scriptures that follow, all go along with keeping your heart guarded: Being careful what you say, Eyes straight ahead on the road laid out before you, and not entertaining evil.  I love the message version for verse 27 “leave evil in the dust”. 
My husband and I were discussing this weekend our purpose: To Know God and Make Him Known.  When our hearts are guarded and our lives are in step with God’s, there is no doubt that our purpose will be fulfilled. None of us are perfect, but if we can practice these things, it definitely makes it easier to “leave evil in the dust”.
 
Let’s be vigilant in keeping watch over our heart! 

Yolanda
Assistant Manager-RMCTN
Enjoy Life. Consider Eternity.