"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:23-27).
If you attended Sunday School as a child, you most likely remember singing this little chorus with all of its verses.
1. Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see,
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.
There's a Father up above looking down in tender love,
Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.
2 Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear,
3 Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say,
4 Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do,
5 Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go,
That simple, but profound chorus was a reminder for children (and adults as well) to guard your heart. In the Old Testament the word "heart" is used more than 800 times, but more than 200 times it deals with one's thought life, emotions, the wellsprings of life, those things that motivate and mold us. The Bible calls that the heart.
As adults we also must be very careful to guard our hearts. We need to be very careful with what we see, hear, or touch, with what we think and feel. and with what we desire. Satan is very active in attacking us even when we don't realize. What do we watch on television and on the internet and on movies? What do we listen to on our music and with our friends? What about our thought life? Guard your heart!
Steve Green (1956- ) is a well known Christian music singer and writer who knows how important this caution is for all believers. He penned the profound words of this week's hymn choice. He knew that "The human heart is easily swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion." He warns believers, "Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away.... as a payment for pleasure its a high price to pay."
This week meditate upon his words and resolve to guard your heart. Ask the Lord to give you discernment and protection. We all need that in the world that we live in today with its many deceptions and temptations.
What appears to be harmless glance?
Can turn to romance and homes are divided
Feelings that should never
have been awakened within
Tearing the heart in two,
listen, I beg of you
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure,
don't give it away
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
The human heart is easily swayed
And often betrayed at the hand of emotion
You dare not leave the outcome to chance
You must choose in advance
Or live with the agony
Such needless tragedy
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure,
don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure,
it's high price to pay
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure,
don't give it away
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
For a soul that remains sincere
with conscience clear
Guard your heart
Listen to it here. GUARD
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