based on the LGG Study, Set Apart – Living A Life For God’s Glory / w2d4
Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27 / SOAP verse 27
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
This verse is in the treasure trove of verses I have long stored away in my heart, and when I read it this morning, it reminded me of a song I used to listen to by Steve Green. The song starts with words I sang as a child; maybe you remember them too – “Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see. There’s a father up above, and he’s looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.” The words are a reminder to be careful with what we let our eyes see and to remember that our heavenly father looks not on the outward appearance of a man but on his heart. It is a reminder that will hopefully inspire us to maintain a pure heart before God. The chorus of the updated version of the song borrows the words Solomon spoke to his ‘son,’ “Guard your heart.” The singer warns the listener not to trade the heart for treasure or give it away, with the reminder that the payment for the ‘pleasure’ of the heart is a high price to pay. Friends, if we desire to remain pure before God, if we want to be light and salt for Him in this dark world, if we want to truly live “set apart”, please Him, and bring Him glory, as we were made to do – then we must, at all costs, guard our hearts.
Guard your Heart * Guard your Heart * Don’t trade it for treasure * Don’t give it away
Guard Your Heart / Steve Green
Guard your Heart * Guard your Heart * As a payment for pleasure * It’s high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear * Guard your Heart
Applicable to us
While Solomon wrote the Words to his “son”, we know that all Scripture is given by God and useful for training, rebuking, and correcting us in how we live. We also know that the New Testament is filled with passages that stress the importance of God’s Word in the lives of His children – and in the salvation of those who have not yet believed! So, without question, Solomon’s instructions are meant to be heard and followed by us as well. – (see “The More We Know” section)
So, What steps can we take to guard our hearts more intentionally? Our larger passage, Proverbs 4:20-27, provides excellent insight and words of wisdom to answer this question. I’ve included it here with the passage from my journal. The journal page is marked up and highlighted with the many ways and reasons Solomon suggested his “child” should and could maintain a guarded heart that is pure and turned away from evil, set apart for God. Pay close attention to the fact that having a guarded heart requires that God’s Word be an active and integral part of our lives. We must pay attention to His Word, listen to the things He has made known to us, and remember them. He warns of the need to keep the heart guarded and stresses that it is the source of life. It is the key to our words and thoughts, our desires, and our activities being acceptable to God. His Word is our source of help and strength in fixing our eyes on Him and turning away from the evil in this world. It is a necessary component of being set apart, and living a life that glorifies God.
~May we not just hear His Word but follow it faithfully.
Today’s Reflection
What is one step you can take to guard your heart more intentionally? Pray about it and ask God for His help – I promise He will hear and answer your prayer, 1 Jn 15:14-15; and your heart will not only be guarded but it will be more and more drawn to and set apart for Him.
The More We Know
The importance of God’s Word made known in the Scriptures:
- Matt. 4:4
- Luke 24:45
- Jn 5:39
- Jn 8:32
- Jn 17:17
- Acts 17:11
- Rom 1:16
- Romans 10:17
- Ephesians 6:17
- Colossians 3:16
- 1 Thes. 2:13
- Hebrews 4:12
- James1:21-23
Me From the Inside Out 