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Part 7–"Wisdom for Daily Living"

Proverbs 4:20-27

July 18, 2021

Your heart affects who you are, so guard it purposefully. Text: Proverbs 4:2-27 In Proverbs we see the word "heart" frequently. It refers to the center of one's inner life and orientation to God, from which a person does all thinking, feeling, and choosing. Taking words of wisdom into the heart is vital and wisdom's presence in the heart is worth guarding because out of the heart flow all the thoughts and words and choices of a person's life. - Your Responsibility to Guard Your Heart (v. 23a) - It assumes that the thing kept will be attacked, and that the keeper should be sufficiently aware of the attacks that he will be on guard. - The spiritual battle that rages around us is a battle for the heart. God wants your heart; so does Satan. Whoever or whatever has your heart has your devotion. - Your Reason to Guard Your Heart (v. 23b) - It is important to understand why the battle for the heart is so important; because it is the source of life. "Everything we think, say or do is a manifestation of what is in the heart. Whatever is at the source will be produced. Remove wisdom and godliness from the heart, and wisdom and godliness will soon cease from the life. If we pollute the wellspring, the infection will spread; before long, hidden appetites will become open sins and public shame." ~Warren Wiersbe - Sin is always a heart issue, and it must always be dealt with at the heart level. Our sinful words, thoughts, and actions flow from a corrupted heart. See Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 12:2, Proverbs 28:14; 21:4, Hebrews 3:12, Matthew 24:12, Psalm 51:10, and Jeremiah 31:33 - Your Results of a Guarded Heart There are four implications of a guarded heart: 1. Clean Heart 2. Cautious Mouth (v. 24) 3. Controlled Eye (v. 25) 4. Careful Foot Change must take place at the heart level. That, not behavior modification, is the message of Christianity. You need to be born again by Jesus, and then the Spirit of Jesus will empower you to work on your heart issues. Proverbs hopes for this here, and Jesus gives it. Ask yourself some probing questions: - Do I have a clean heart? - Am I guarding my heart purposefully? - Your heart is prone to wander. Ask, "What do my struggles reveal about my heart?" - Ask Jesus to change you at the heart level. He can. He will. Want to talk with a pastor about a heart change in your life? Reach out to us at Contact@LHBC.me or 662-895-1900.