Protect Your Heart

Above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.

─ Proverbs 4:23 TPT

Dena glanced quickly from her sink full of dishes to her young son crawling toward her on the kitchen floor. Suddenly, he stopped, moved to a sitting position and fixed his eyes on a small piece of “something” he’d found on the floor and was quickly bringing it to his mouth.

“No! No! Don’t eat that,” she called as she bent and scooped the “find” from his tiny fingers. Her husband laughed as he walked through the kitchen carrying his laptop. “You are such a clean freak, and yet, he is still able to find something on the floor.”

Most parents of small children pay close attention to them, constantly on guard, protecting them from anything that could potentially harm them. We should watch over our hearts with that same intention.

Our scripture today encourages us to guard and protect our hearts. We are each individually responsible for what we expose ourselves to. There are dangerous things that can enter our hearts through our eyes and ears, and rest in our thoughts, penetrating our hearts.

Today’s One Thing

Here are four things to do to make sure your affections push you in the right direction:

1. Put boundaries in place to be sure you don’t pursue the wrong things.
2. Look straight ahead, focused on your goal, which is to please Christ.
3. Refuse to take shortcuts that can easily distract you from your purpose.
4. Carefully select the right things to enter your heart through your eyes and ears.

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