Guard!

Guard!

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 AMPC

The Inspiration:

Solomon, the son of David, is on record as the wisest man of his time in the Bible. In fact, God said of him that there will not be anyone like him either before or after him. What did the man do to deserve such accolades? He simply identified his limitations, and asked the God of no limitations for help. He asked for wisdom, and God gave him more than he asked for. However, like all things God gives, there was a condition, and this was he would continue to enjoy all that God had promised as long as his heart remains true to and solely focused on God. One of the benefits of his heart's condition, before it all went downhill, was this extract: "So Judah and Israel lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” Solomon was no involved in any major wars, as long as his heart was right. My heart is very important to God, because it is the seat of all decisions made which will affect not just me, but the lives of other people around me. What do I need to do in order to guard its focus and output? 

The Contention:

Indeed, there is a need to sort out input, if you want a good output. No serious farmer sows just any kind of seed; he looks for the right kind of seed, the right kind of soil, watches for the right kind of weather, and then seeks to create the right kind of conditions for the seed to grow and fruit abundantly by providing water, weeding out unwanted pests and plants, and protecting the seed from human and other parasites. This is the same with the heart; it needs regular attention and care, and cannot be left to its own devices. The heart can never be empty; at all times, it is subject to external influences. From it comes thoughts of malice, leading to actions such as covetousness or murder. This is why I must take active steps to watch what flows into my heart. I may not be able to prevent my eyes and ears from seeing or hearing evil, but I can prevent evil from settling on my heart and making an impression. 

The Conclusion:

I have to guard my heart. The picture here is one armed for battle, conscious of the danger of not been ready for whatever is coming. Many things will seek to make an impression on my heart, and it is my responsibility to sieve and allow only what is relevant to growth. I cannot turn around and blame anyone for whatever I allow. I am the guard of what has been entrusted into my hands. The quality and treatment of the seed determine the fruit. If I were given the fruit of my life to eat, would I  Life and death are the only two consequences of the decisions I have to make. There is no middle course or fence; my choices either lead to life eternal with God, or life eternal without God. You do not want to live a life that is outside God's grace and mercy.