It was just another Tuesday night when Sara sat down to read her Bible before bed. As she turned to Proverbs 4 verse 23 jumped out at her:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
(NIV)
biblegateway.com
Sara paused, struck by this verse. She had never thought much about guarding her heart before. What did that really mean anyway?
As she pondered it more, Sara realized that she often acted out of her feelings without stopping to filter them through God’s truth. The condition of her heart impacted her thoughts, words, actions, and even direction in life.
“If I don’t learn how to guard my heart”, thought Sara, “how can I possibly grow deeper in my walk with God?”
A desire welled up within her to better protect her heart from harmful things that could negatively influence her.
Over the next few days, Sara couldn’t get Proverbs 4:23 out of her mind. She dug into God’s word to learn His principles for guarding her heart.
Step by step she began applying the Word of God and today she’s enjoying a rich, fulfilling life.
Guarding your heart is one of the most important things you can do as a Christian. This is because everything you do flows from the heart. Your thoughts, words, actions, and direction in life all originate from your heart.
That’s why if you want to live the abundant life (John 10:10) Jesus came to give us you must learn how to guard your heart.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- What it means to guard your heart.
- Why you need to guard your heart.
- How to guard your heart through God’s Word.
- Steps to protect your heart spiritually.
- How to heal and restore your heart.
Let’s dive in!
What Does “Guard Your Heart” Mean?
To guard your heart means to be careful about what you allow into your inner world. It means protecting your heart and mind from harmful influences.
You guard your heart by being vigilant about:
- What you listen to.
- What you watch.
- The company you keep.
- The environment you’re in.
It’s being intentional about surrounding yourself with things that cultivate spiritual health rather than destruction.
Guarding your heart also involves being aware of your thought life. The Bible tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). It means filtering our thoughts through the truth of God’s Word.
Most importantly, guarding your heart means protecting it from sin. The Bible warns that sin will harden your heart (Hebrews 3:13). Sin distorts your perspective and draws you away from God’s best.
Why Is It Important to Guard Your Heart?
Guarding your heart is crucial because it determines the course of your life.
King Solomon wrote:
“Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.”Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
He knew that the condition of our hearts impacts our whole being. That’s why he urged us to diligently guard it.
Here are some key reasons why it’s vital to guard your heart:
- It’s the wellspring of life. The heart is the source of your being. When your heart is spiritually healthy, it fills your life with positive things. But when it’s corrupt, your life follows suit.
- It directs your path. Your heart determines which way you’ll go. An unguarded heart can lead you far off course before you even realize it. Staying on the right path requires vigilant watch over your heart.
- It defines you. Jesus said, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45). What fills your heart will come out through your words and actions. Guarding your heart protects your Christian witness.
- It guides your relationships. An unguarded heart often attaches itself to the wrong people. But a guarded heart discerns wisely when choosing relationships.
Guarding your heart is essential to living a victorious Christian life. Don’t take it lightly.
How to Guard Your Heart Through God’s Word
The Bible offers practical guidance on how to guard your heart. God’s Word is key to protecting ourselves spiritually.
Here are some Scriptures on guarding your heart and how to apply them:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
This verse makes it clear – guarding your heart is priority number one! How are you actively guarding your heart daily? Think through the practical steps you can take.
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Matthew 15:19 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Sin originates in your heart. That’s why it’s critical to guard your heart against corrupting influences.
Are you vigilant over what you expose yourself to each day? Fill your heart with God’s truth so there’s no room for evil.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Ask God to continually renew your heart after His image. Express your dependence on Him to instill holiness and steadfastness. Stay in constant prayer over the state of your heart.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
Don’t allow fear and anxiety to rule your heart. Turn every worry into prayer and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7). Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your heart with supernatural peace.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
biblegateway.com
The key to guarding your heart is trusting fully in God’s ways and wisdom. Measure every thought and desire against His truth. Let His understanding be your guide.
God’s Word contains endless wisdom on protecting our hearts. Read it daily and hide the truths deep within so you can stand strong.
4 Steps to Protect Your Heart Spiritually
Guarding your heart is not something that just happens automatically. It requires diligence and intentionality.
Here are some practical steps you can take to protect your heart spiritually:
1. Fortify it with God’s Word
The Bible says to guard our hearts by writing God’s Word on them (Proverbs 7:3). When you fill your heart with Scripture, it washes out worldly junk.
Make time daily to read, study, and memorize Scripture. Immerse your heart in Biblical truth. It renews and transforms you from the inside out.
2. Filter Input Carefully
Be selective about what you allow into your heart through your eyes and ears. Set standards for what you read, watch, listen to, and engage in. Avoid things that stir up lust, greed, anxiety, or other sins.
Ask yourself:
- Is this adding light to my heart or darkness?
- Will this lead me closer to God or away from Him?
Input determines output, so filter everything carefully.
3. Pray Over Your Heart
Bring your heart regularly to God in prayer. Ask Him to reveal any areas of sin or impurity. Pray for Him to strengthen areas of weakness. Repent where needed.
Also, ask God to help guard your heart daily. Pray for Him to keep sin far from you and seal areas vulnerable to attack. Maintain an open prayer life.
4. Stay Accountable
Having trusted Christian friends to help guard your heart is vital. Share your struggles and temptations with them. Ask them to check in on your spiritual walk.
Accountability promotes transparency about the state of your heart. It deters you from slipping into dangerous territory. Don’t try to guard your heart alone.
Protecting your heart requires fortifying it from the inside with God’s truth and enlisting fellow believers to help guard it. Take every measure needed to keep it aligned with Christ.
How to Heal and Restore a Wounded Heart
If your heart has been wounded by sin, toxic relationships, or hard circumstances, God can heal and restore it fully. Here’s how:
- Repent deeply. Come clean about the sin that’s corrupted your heart. Hold nothing back in your confession. Repentance allows God’s cleansing and renewal.
- Recalibrate with the Word. Immerse your heart in Scripture to wash away embedded lies. Realign your perspective and desires with God’s truth.
- Pray for inner healing. Ask God to heal your deepest hurts and wounds. Receive His love and grace. Let Him bind up areas of brokenness.
- Forgive others. Release hurts, resentments, and grudges through forgiveness. This flushes bitterness from your heart and sets you free.
- Join a Christian community. Surround yourself with other believers who’ll nurture your heart toward spiritual health. Fellowship fortifies your heart.
- Worship and give thanks. Praising God and giving thanks recalibrates your heart on Him. Fix your eyes on Jesus and He will heal and renew you from the inside out.
No matter how battered and bruised your heart may feel, God can make it new again. Keep pursuing Him for wholeness and restoration. He is faithful.
Key Takeaways on Guarding Your Heart
- Guarding your heart means being intentional about what you allow into your inner world. Carefully filter input.
- It’s crucial because the state of your heart impacts every aspect of life. An unguarded heart leads to destruction.
- Fortify your heart daily with God’s Word. Keep it filled with His truths and focus on Him.
- Enlist other believers to help guard your heart through fellowship and accountability. You can’t do it alone.
- Pray regularly over the condition of your heart. Ask God to align it fully with Him.
- God can fully heal and restore wounded hearts. Pursue Him passionately for inner wholeness.
In Conclusion
Guarding your heart is a daily, full-time job. But it’s worth every ounce of effort to align your heart fully with God and walk in the freedom, purpose, and blessing He has for you.
By God’s strength and grace, press forward in diligently guarding the wellspring of your life. God is cheering you on!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the signs I need to guard my heart more?
A. Some signs your heart needs better guarding are struggling with consistent sin, frequent anxiety or discontentment, stagnant spiritual growth, apathy toward the Bible and prayer, and damaged or broken relationships.
Q. How do I know if someone or something is bad for my heart?
A. If a person, activity, or influence is drawing you away from God, sowing anxiety, reigniting past sins or wounds, distorting the truth, or fostering ungodly desires, these are signs it’s hazardous to your heart.
Q. What do I do when my heart feels far from God?
A. Repent thoroughly of any known sin. Immerse yourself daily in Scripture and prayer. Praise and glorify God through worship.
Seek communion with other believers. God will draw near when you seek Him wholeheartedly.
Q. How do I stop dwelling on things that hurt my heart?
A. Reject hurtful thoughts. Don’t entertain ideas or memories that stir up bitterness or sinful responses.
Take every negative thought captive and make it obedient to God (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Fill your mind intentionally with praise, truths, and promises from Scripture to crowd out destructive thoughts.
