GUARD YOUR HEART

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In today’s study of the gift of God’s wisdom, we hear about the need to monitor what we hear, what we see, what we say, where we travel, and who we allow into our hearts. The child of God who desires to become wise will need to examine themselves in all ways, searching for any area of rebellion toward God’s word, or any errant step off of God’s path. 

We hear about this call from God to guard your heart and all that flows from it in the following passage:

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 within your 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. 

24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

(Proverbs 4:20-27 NIV11)

Listening

In verse 20 we hear a reminder that we must seek out God’s wisdom and that we must pay attention to the message of his Word. How can we expect to share in the gift of God’s wisdom if we are easily distracted? We need to shut out the bright lights and flashing objects that pull our attention away from reading the message of God’s word. 

•  When you wake up, what is the first source of information that you seek out?
•  How does your constant access to media and entertainment impact your ability to listen to God’s word?
•  What are you willing to do about these distractions?

Keep Them

Verses 21-22 teach us that when we should encounter the message of God’s word, we need to hold tight to them, keeping these truths within our sight. Again, we need to find ways to avoid being distracted from the 

And what was the reward that was to be given to those who seek out the message of God’s word and wisdom? The words of the Bible bring us life. God’s word fills our day with meaning and purpose and reminds us why we were created by God. 

Verse 23

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 

What does it mean to guard your heart? We must protect what we allow into our minds and we must be very careful about who we allow into the inner parts of our lives. 

As we are told at the end of verse 23, all parts of our lives are affected by what we hold to be most dear, most true, and most valuable in our hearts. Therefore, it makes sense that we should be very picky about what and who we allow into our most personal and important areas of life.

•  What we watch for entertainment matters. 
•  Who we allow to become our counselors matters. 
•  The ideas and philosophies we consume in social media matters. 

We need to guard our hearts if we want to experience and hold fast to God’s gift of wisdom. 

Living It Out

In verses 24-27, we can hear a list of examples of what it looks like for the child of God to seek the wisdom of God as they guard their hearts and minds. 

Here are the actions that were presented: 

•   Don’t entertain perversion
•   Don’t speak ill of others
•   Don’t look into evil for fun
•   Focus on what is good
•   Don’t go to places that you should stay away from
•   Stand your ground when tempted
•   Stay true to what is right
•   Don’t even take one step toward evil

If we want to know and live out the wisdom of God, we must also protect ourselves from evil by choosing to turn away from all sources of temptation, perversion, cheating, lying, and greed. 

Nothing undermines the value of God’s wisdom like irresponsible behavior. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, help me identify areas of my life where I am tempted to welcome ungodly and sinful choices. Help me see these areas of struggle for what they really are… sin. They are against your will and I do not want them in my life. Be my shield and give me strength. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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