3Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Prov. 4:23
The word “heart” has different meanings. Heart can refer to an organ of the body that supplies blood to the entire human system. The heart can also represent our feelings and emotions. Today, let us define the word “heart” from the perspective of the Bible, the Word of God, so that we can truly understand how vital and powerful the heart is.
The Hebrew word for heart is “lev” or “levav”. In biblical view, the heart is the very center and the very core of human thought and spiritual life. In short, the heart represents everything that is within us. The heart represents our emotions, our passions, our thoughts, our convictions … and our faith that lies deep within. Sadly however, we live in the world that is not very interested with what is inside – – – what is hidden or what is beneath. The world today is more fascinated with that is visible and obvious to the human eye. This may be the reason why people today will spend huge amounts of money just to look “right.” People will hire the services of experts just to make them look good. Some companies, institutions and public personalities will employ image consultants to teach them how to look good, attractive and respectable in the eyes of people. The dictionary defines an image consultant as “a person or company hired to advise on improved public presentation or impression, esp. in media and public relations; a person or company hired to assist someone in personal appearance or style.”
But you see friends, God’s Word reminds us that beyond what the world can see is a far more important and critical issue. We recall that Old Testament passage when God commanded Samuel the prophet to anoint a new king. He went to Jesse who presented to him his sons. When his eldest son Eliab, was presented, Samuel said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” But the Spirit of God was very quick to rebuke him. God spoke to Samuel’s heart and said , “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature . . . For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” God ended up choosing David, the youngest child who was always out in the field. He was the least expected to be king but God chose him because his heart was right before the Lord. We wonder and we ask, “What can God see?” Beneath the smiles – – – the laughter – – – beneath all the trimmings – – – can the Lord see a genuine attitude of gratitude? Is there humility and thanksgiving within us? Is there a greater sense of awareness of the Lord’s presence?
The world will always tell us that public image is more important. The world will force us to think that what people will think and say about us is what counts. Reacting to this, John Maxwell once said, “Image is who we are when people are watching. Integrity in who we are when we are all alone.”
God wants us to know today that there are so many forces in the world today that want to possess our hearts. Billions and billions of dollars are being spent daily to create and market all sorts of products, gadgets and services just so that our hearts can be taken. We ask why? Proverbs 4: 23 reveals to us a crucial answer: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. We need to very careful. We must not throw our heart away. We must learn to guard our heart from wickedness and ask the help of God so that our heart will always seek what is true in the midst of falsehood and deception – – – and live out genuine love and service to others in the face of selfishness and ever-increasing greed.
The good news that we proclaim today is that God is ever willing to guide our hearts towards that which is true, merciful and just. God sent us Jesus and that by truly believing in him – – – by having a personal and genuine relationship with him – – – our hearts can be transformed. This is also why we have been given the Word of God – – – the Bible – – – so that by living according to God’s Word our hearts may find its ultimate security in what is eternally significant in Christ. This is also why we were given the Holy Spirit – – – so that by the Spirit’s guidance, our hearts will be able to endure when trials and tribulations come.
Out of our hearts will come forth every decision – – – every thought – – – and every conviction that will determine the trajectory of our lives and the lives of others. May we therefore find wisdom and much strength in guarding our hearts – – – making sure that by the grace of the Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, our hearts will rise above every form of evil and remain steadfast in faith – – – joyful in hope and unwavering in love. Amen.
