Lessons from Proverbs 4 - Part 2

"Keep you heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."    
                                                                                                            Proverbs 4:23.  NKJV

Talking around Matthew 12:33-35, Derek Prince said, 'When the heart is filled it overflows through the mouth, and that overflow tells us the real condition of the heart.' It comes down to what particular fruit we are bearing - good fruit or bad fruit. There is so much temptation around that each of us has to make a concentrated effort to stay on the straight and narrow.

What we watch on TV, or what particular movies we favour play a part in how we operate in our lives. If we're not careful we can be easily influenced and encouraged to let our guard down and, 'take a night off Christianity'. After all, no-one will know, will they - will they? Well for one thing, we may be very careful but we'll never be able to hoodwink God. He sees and hears all.

This is why this verse tells us clearly to, 'Keep your heart with all diligence'. Actually, the word, 'Keep', can be translated 'Guard' - hence, 'Guard your heart with all diligence'. This makes it sound more serious and it is. When we guard something, we keep a watchful eye on it. This needs to be done on a regular basis so that the thief doesn't break in. If scripture tells us, 'the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,' (1 Peter 5:8) we get the picture that this is very serious business indeed. Therefore, we need to be watchful.

If you've ever noticed the rituals of a Meerkat, you will see this in action. The one's on guard will stand and watch non-stop, looking in many directions. They know it's their responsibility to keep the others safe as there are many predators ready to attack them. Remember, someone once said, 'When the floods came, Noah wasn't in the dark, he was in the ark'. (Genesis 7). Be ready and alert.

We need to protect and guard our heart with all diligence. We know from experience that most unbelievers never read a bible, they read us instead and they're very diligent about it too. One small mistake on our part and it goes around the neighbourhood like a rocket out of a gun. This is why it is so damaging when a leading Christian is caught in some particular scandal. It causes the body of Christ much pain.  and the newspapers love to print these type of stories.

Each of us, have a responsibility to Jesus. He calls us His friends. This means He trusts us. Isn't that amazing? Jesus Christ of Nazareth, trusts us. May we always attempt to protect His Name and live up to our calling.

Copyright 2020 Grahame Howard

dailylifewithjesus@hotmail.com

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