“Guard your heart.”
What or who would you fiercely protect?
In our home, we have a saying, “Don’t make her go momma bear on you.” The phrase is a funny way of telling someone they had better back off because I, the momma bear, will go into complete defense mode—a mode you do not want to see me in.
In the natural world, we know finding ourselves between a mother bear and her cubs is unsafe. Why? The mother bear will aggressively shield and do whatever it takes to safeguard her cubs.
We will encounter resistance when we choose better by abiding in Christ, allowing Him to teach us, and growing us like Mary did when she sat at His feet. Distractions will entice us to step off the path, as well as outright opposition from those who do not like our choices under Christ’s leadership will also occur.
We must learn to become a momma bear when protecting our hearts.
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life… Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. (Proverbs 4:20-27, NLT, bold added for emphasis)
These verses give us insight and wisdom into the discipling process. They include several actions toward Jesus’ teaching that we need to add to our discipleship journey.
- Pay Attention.
- Listen carefully.
- Don’t lose sight.
- Let them penetrate.
- Guard your heart.
- Look straight ahead.
- Fix your eyes.
- Mark out a straight path.
- Stay on the safe path.
- Don’t get sidetracked.
- Keep your feet from evil.
Each action carries the theme of being hyper-focused. Most of the actions are proactive and offensive, with some defensive moves. We often stay on the offensive side of our spiritual life and neglect the essential aspects of playing defense, like guarding our hearts and keeping ourselves from being distracted.
Protecting Your Heart
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Guard is a military term used when something or someone needs to be defended or sheltered against harm. The Hebrew word can also refer to a watchman. Someone assigned to be vigilant and stay alert, looking for any impending danger.
The word is used in Psalm 32:7 to refer to God’s role as our safeguard: “You are my hiding place; you will protect (guard) me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (NIV).
We must fiercely defend our hearts. We intentionally guard our hearts when we are careful as to what we watch, reach, or listen to (Psalm 101:3); when we are careful about who we hang out with (Psalm 1:1); when we fill our hearts with God’s Word (Psalm 1:2-3); and when we are obedient to what He has led us to do (Proverbs 19:16).
When we walk with the intention of protecting our hearts, we are less likely to be distracted and will be able to make better choices.
Don’t Get Sidetracked
“Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil.” Becoming sidetracked like Martha did can lead us to various ways that will pull us away from choosing better like Mary did. (Luke 10:40)
Most translations say, “Do not turn to the right or the left” (Proverbs 4:27a, NIV). Again, we see a theme of hyper-focus as to where our attention lies and ways we can keep on the best path.
Paying attention is instrumental to protecting our hearts. Protecting our hearts is critical to sitting at Jesus’ feet and abiding in Him so we can continually choose better.
Better leads us to the full life Jesus promises us, but much is at stake if we do not protect our hearts. Our hearts express how full our lives can be, “for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23b, AMP).
Like a body of water without movement, the water will grow stagnant and sick, but with movement, the water can breed life. Protecting our hearts keeps us open to the movement and teaching of the Spirit in our lives, which prevents us from stagnating and missing out on all God has for us.
Do we want better? The choice is ours but will involve sitting at Jesus’ feet, abiding in Him, and protecting our hearts.
I pray that as you sit at Jesus’ feet and protect your heart from all He is teaching you, your weariness fades, and your burdens become lighter. May you pay attention to all that is drawing you away from Him and, with all diligence, guard your heart. May you experience the Life-Giving Spirit of God, refreshing and strengthening you with a new fullness of life each day. I pray So be it, in Jesus’ name.
Meditate: God is my hiding place.
Reflect: What are the ways you need to protect your heart more? What else would you add to the list of ways to protect one’s heart? If you protect your heart in a military style, how does that add to the way you protect your heart? Are there any of the actions in the bullet list, ones you need to pay more attention to?
Deeper: (As you read through these additional verses, ask the Spirit to give you wisdom and teach you more about how you need to protect your heart.). Proverbs 4:20-27; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-23
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(Bible References: NLT – New Living Translation, NIV – New International Version, AMP – Amplified Version)
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