Guard Your Heart
A Devotional in Wisdom Literature
Today’s reading is out of Proverbs 4:20-23. Begin today’s devotion by reading this passage in your Bible.
In Biblical times the local well was the most important source of life in that region. People would drink from it and also use it to help care for their animals. Protecting that water source was of utmost importance. People would guard the well by putting a big rock over it (or something similar) to protect it from being polluted. If a sheep fell in the well, it would poison the water and turn it from a spring of life to a spring of death.
In a similar way, the author of Proverbs encourages us to pay special attention to “guarding” our hearts. In the Bible, our heart represents the innermost part of who we are. It is the wellspring of our lives. Whatever goes in there impacts the way that we think, what we say, and how we live our lives. If we fill our heart with things that are good, lovely, and pure (Philippians 4:8), our lives will reflect that. If we allow things into our hearts that are negative influences, our thoughts and actions will reflect that too. Thankfully God is able to cleanse our hearts and give us the wisdom we need to protect our hearts.
Take a moment and reflect on the passage again and answer the questions below.
Proverbs 4:20-23 20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them withinyour heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Reflect
- What about this passage speaks to your heart? Are there any things that you don’t understand?
- Why do you think the author specifies in verse 23 that we are to “above all else” guard our heart?
- What are some practical ways that you can guard your heart this week?
Act
Make a list of the things that you need God’s help with to guard your heart. Spend a few moments today lifting each one of those things before God in prayer.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the words of wisdom in Proverbs 4. I need your help to protect my heart today. Please help me to pay special attention to what I allow into my heart today. Thank you for your grace and willingness to help cleanse my heart.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.