The Guarding of the Heart
The smart soldier is conscious that it is unwise to lower defenses. The Apostle Paul counsels likewise:
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
The heart that is careful to keep their Lord's ways turns from the attractiveness of sin, then refuses to cast their eyes backwards. They have moved safely behind the shield of faith that any flaming darts of evil cannot pierce. These darts can only crash to the ground. The darts will be quenched under a believer's feet that is shod in readiness for peace. A guarded heart does not pick up the smoldering arrows and return fire, for this is only a multiplying of evil.
The heart that is guarded too sets no vile things before their eyes, and refuses to sit in the counsel of the wicked.
Harmful entanglements with the world must be severed. (Wayne Jackson)
Remember:
The seed of sin lays fallow, just waiting for a little watering. (anon)
The heart that is guarded first knows:
- the difficulty of the journey does not define the quality of the destination, and conversely -
- the quality of the destination is worth the difficulty of the journey.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)
The state of the whole body depends upon the soundness and vigor of the heart, and the everlasting state of the whole man upon the good or ill condition of the soul. (John Flavel)
Today's Soul Snippet:
'Our hearts of stone become hearts of flesh when we learn where the outcast weeps'. ~ Brennan Manning
ENJOY too in this short series - Introducing 5 Friends of Spiritual Resilience, The Shelter of Humility, The Seeking of God's Face, The Thirsting of the Soul & The Crucifixion of the Soul
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