“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

The heart is the center of our emotions, will and intellect. In many respects our heart is the control center of our life. Some have likened it to a reservoir from which our spiritual life is fed. Out of this vital reservoir flows every issue (outgrowth, action and boundary) of our life. What we think, how we feel, the choices we make and ultimately—our whole life—are determined by what is in our heart.

Solomon warns us to “keep” our heart. To “keep” is to guard with the goal to preserve and to keep pure. In Proverbs 4:24-27, the wise teacher seems to indicate four key gates into the heart, which must be guarded like Fort Knox. We guard the heart by protecting the gates to the heart—our ears, mouth, eyes and feet. What we hear, what we say, what we see and where we go all have a powerful impact on our heart and life! Therefore, guard your heart diligently! If our heart is filled with the world’s way of thinking, our life will reflect the world’s way of living. But the heart that is renewed by the Word and Spirit of God will stay pure. A heart filled with the Word and Spirit of God will know the will of God and blessings of His design. So be diligent to guard your heart and the gates to your heart!

Written By Dr. Dave Canedy, Deputation Director and Field Administrator of Baptist World Mission