Keep Watch Over Your Heart

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23, ESV).

Although I preached a sermon on this verse over a year ago, I think I am only beginning to grasp its significance. Each passing day, I find this verse's relevance growing more and more.

I am learning that there is never a moment when we can let our guard down.  We can never take a vacation day where our heart is concerned.  We must continually keep vigil over our heart.  Given the opportunity the heart would mutiny, and sell us into slavery.  We must keep watch.

If we allow our heart to turn to its own way, we poison our life.  The heart is the wellspring of life.  From out of the stores of the heart the mouth speaks.  If we are not careful, our heart can be swept away by any number of enemies: lust, covetousness, hatred, complacency, apathy, rebellion, laziness, self-worship, addiction, etc.

The heart is susceptible to many attacks.  We all have weakened defenses.  We must all be on our guard.  Are you vigilantly watching your heart to ensure that you remain loyal to the Lord?  The only way we can succeed at guarding our hearts is to ask God to enable us to guard it and to keep us watchful.  Friends, keep watch over your hearts.