There are a few Bible Verses that I hold dear in my walk with God. One in particular is Proverbs 4.23. Above all else guard your heart for everything you do, flows from it (NIV). When I think about this verse in the Bible, it makes me examine how sometimes our actions do not match our words. We speak of one thing but then act in a different way. It must be why they say ‘actions speak louder than words’ right? Matching our words with our actions can be difficult. This is because it is quite easy to speak without giving much thought to the consequences that might follow, yet actions on the other hand are a result of our hearts’ posture. There is a direct connection between our feelings, thoughts and actions. 

The first time I heard this scripture in Proverbs, was in 2005, as a young eleven year old girl in V.B.S. In my naivety, I grew up thinking that I needed to wear a bulletproof vest or shield, to guard my heart as I went about life. However, with age comes maturity even in the things of God. Spiritually speaking our hearts are not the blood pumping organs that we learn in Biology. Rather, our hearts are the seats of our emotions, will, intellect etc. 

In this text the Bible clearly tells us to guard our hearts and not any other part. You see, in a battlefield, soldiers put on an armor that specifically protects their most vital organs. I have never seen a battalion of soldiers going into battle without shields, breastplates or bulletproof jackets, depending on the kind of weapons they would be employing. Well, the only special case we know of, is that of David when he faced Goliath.

As Christians, we go about life clueless and unguarded, then end up being casualties or wounded soldiers, because we fail to protect what is vital, in this case our hearts. We forget to pay attention to the scheming ways of the devil against our hearts. The state of our hearts affects our relationship and intimacy with God, and that is why it becomes the devil’s main target. 

When your heart is not in the right state, your ability to hear God, show up for your life purpose amongst many things, will be affected. The actions that God expects from us will not match the word He has given us because our hearts have been defiled. So, how should we then guard our hearts? Below are a few pointers that have helped me, on how we can guard our hearts.

1. Being mindful of what we consume and feed our hearts. Our hearts are entry points and the kind of content that we watch and listen to tend to sway our emotions and as earlier said our emotions are held in our hearts. Is what you are consuming edifying you or slowly drawing you away from Jesus? Just because it is social media or entertainment, doesn’t mean it will not defile your heart. 

2. Staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit and discerning what God is doing in your life. Are your communication channels with God clear? How does God speak to you as an individual? What is the season that you are in? If you can answer these questions then you are better placed to jealously guard your season and what God is doing through you and for you.

3. Watch out for offences. Jesus said that it is impossible not to be offended but we shouldn’t let it create a home in our hearts. Is there something that is bothering you that you have been avoiding and sweeping under the carpet? It is wisdom to solve issues when and if they arise with God’s help. Remember that the devil uses offence to delay our destinies and to cut you off from destiny relationships.

4. Be quick to unpack unpleasant emotions that might be a breeding ground for offence. As earlier mentioned solve issues as they arise. Have as many uncomfortable conversations as possible with the people God has surrounded you with. 

5. Speak life to yourself by declaring out loud who God says you are through His son Jesus Christ. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18.21 esv Confess God’s promises for your life until they become a reality. If you do not speak positivity into your being then something else is speaking negativity since there is never a vacuum in the spiritual realm.

6. Create Godly boundaries around your life. Adopt and live according to principles in the Word of God and use them to make decisions in your life. For instance, what kind of friends should you keep? What kind of lifestyle should you pursue? What are your non-negotiable values? This protects the access to your heart from people who might be ‘the weapon formed against you”. 

7. Remain in the Word of God. Be intentional about your personal devotion. The Word of God in itself is a weapon that guards our hearts. In the Word, we are constantly reminded of who we are in Christ, the power of God, the nature and character of God, amongst many things. 

8. Prayer. Guarding your heart begins with guarding your secret place. It is in prayer that The Holy Spirit refines us, highlights the condition of our hearts, speaks to us, gives us wisdom to handle life etc. When you’re constantly in the secret place, then God can continually work on your heart, ensuring that you are always in a good condition. 

Guarding our hearts begins with God and can only be sustained by God’s Grace. Our hearts are so important to God and that’s why it is a target for the enemy. As difficult as it may be, The Holy Spirit is an ever present help for us. In all that you do, ensure that you guard your heart with all diligence. 

What other ways have you learnt to help you guard your heart in your walk with God? Please share with us in the comments below. 

 

We love having you here. 

Charmaine Wanjohi,

Writer, MWK Team