How To Protect Your Heart
Introduction:
Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
The Bible frequently touches upon the concept of the heart, although not in the way we commonly use the term in today’s culture. When biblical writers referred to the heart, they delved into a much broader and deeper perspective. In their understanding, the heart includes our emotions, intellect, desires, and our will. Most importantly, our words and actions flow directly from our hearts, emphasising the importance of what lies within.
According to the Gospel of Matthew,
Matthew 12:34b "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks"
This wisdom urges us to recognise that the words we utter are not mere utterances but reflections of the inner currents of our hearts. Similarly, the choices we make are not arbitrary but are inextricably linked to the state of our hearts. Thus, protecting one’s heart, from a biblical perspective, requires a conscientious examination of our thoughts, emotions, desires, and decisions.
While this may seem like a daunting task, the Bible also offers a message of hope. In Ezekiel 36:26-27, we are reminded that God has the power to bestow upon us a completely new heart.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
Regardless of the condition of our hearts – whether they are weak, broken, hurt, or hardened – God’s promise is one of transformation and renewal.
So, how do we go about guarding our hearts, and what can we learn from the Bible? This article will provide insights and guidance on nurturing and protecting the heart. In doing so, we aim to help readers better understand the significance of their hearts and how to ensure that the source of their thoughts, emotions, desires, and choices is kept pure, strong, and aligned with a higher purpose.
Point 1: Learning how to deal with people, God’s way
In the world, many people protect their hearts by pulling back from relationships, avoiding conflict, and sidestepping difficult situations. However, as Christians, we are called to confront and navigate pain head-on, for even if we try to avoid it, it’s impossible to escape. This principle is beautifully reflected in 1 Peter 1:6
1 Peter 1:6 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."
Learning to deal with pain in a godly way is crucial for our spiritual growth. Rather than allowing pain to fester and poison our hearts, we should process it with a heart full of grace.
Hebrews 12:15 “see to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
This passage in Hebrews reminds us that bitter roots are the outcome of failing to address and release the pain we experience. Bitterness can enter every aspect of our lives if left unchecked, leading to the deterioration of our relationship with others and God.
Bitter roots tend to develop when we focus on the sins and wrongdoings of others. Instead of acknowledging and appreciating the grace God, men become bitter and deeply critical of others. By focusing on the grace God has given to us, we focus on God and not the pain others have inflicted on us.
Seeing Jesus as our example
On the cross, Jesus set an extraordinary example by making himself and his heart vulnerable to the worst kind of hurt and betrayal. This act of vulnerability is a profound demonstration of love and selflessness, which challenges us to examine how we deal with pain and conflict in our own lives.
When we look at Jesus’s experience, we see that even those closest to him, his disciples, ran away in fear and denial. His immediate family, instead of standing with him, hung their heads in embarrassment. Furthermore, his critics mocked and gloated over his suffering. In a moment of utter desolation, even his heavenly Father, the first person of the Trinity, turned his face away and forsook his Son.
Yet, Jesus chose to go through this excruciating experience for one purpose. He did it so that hurting, sinful, and broken individuals like us could receive the gift of salvation. His sacrifice on the cross demonstrates that dealing with hurt and betrayal isn’t about avoiding it but rather about transforming it into a means of redemption and reconciliation.
In Jesus’s example, we find an invitation from God to follow suit. We are encouraged to run to Him, to pour out our hearts in prayer, and to ask Him to come to our aid when we’re hurting. In our moments of vulnerability and pain, we can cry out to Him without reservation. It is in this place of surrender that we discover our heart’s ultimate protection in God.
Peace is our pursuit
The peace is often rooted in maintaining a clear conscience free from resentment, bitterness, and anger.
As Philippians 4:7 reminds us,
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
One practical way to foster peace is by challenging people’s words, actions, and decisions through questioning. This approach reflects our willingness to give others the benefit of the doubt, assuming that they might be right and we could be wrong in our perceptions. By doing so, we create an atmosphere where individuals are encouraged to apologize and take ownership of their mistakes. Even if they fail to acknowledge their faults, we can choose to forgive them and bring the matter to God, ensuring that we don’t carry the burden of resentment.
We should also avoid holding onto grudges and judgment. When we encounter someone caught in sin, it’s essential to introspect and ask ourselves whether we have ever entertained thoughts or committed similar wrongs. This self-reflection often leads to the realization that we are not morally superior to the one in question. If, by chance, we find ourselves free from such temptations, we should thank God for His grace and understanding, remembering that even Jesus was tempted yet remained without sin
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are –yet was without sin.”
Bring up sin when it is clear it is actually sin
When it becomes undeniably clear that someone has sinned against us, we have a biblical directive to address the issue.
Matthew 18:15-16 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you."
Sadly, many people either neglect this responsibility, thinking it is someone else’s job, or they prematurely bring up opinions and feelings without clear evidence of sin, both of which are misguided.
As believers, we are accountable for one another’s spiritual journeys. Bringing up someone’s sin should be done with care and gentleness, never as an emotional “dump” but as a loving, supportive effort. We should take matters to God in prayer first and then, with a heart of love and concern, gently approach the individual to discuss the issue, avoiding any forceful imposition of our opinions.
Just as Hebrews 5:1-2 underscores
Hebrews 5:1-2 “Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.”
The importance of dealing gently with those who are ignorant and straying, our discussions should be filled with grace and empathy.
Satan is always trying to kill Christians spiritually
In this spiritual battle, it’s vital to recognize that Satan is continually trying to undermine our faith and spirituality. He employs cunning strategies, with one of his main tactics being the dissemination of lies and the manipulation of our beliefs.
Jesus demonstrated how to resist Satan’s cunning schemes. In the desert, when faced with the tempter’s lies, Jesus clung to God’s words as His source of truth and strength.
Matthew 4:3-4 "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." In response, Jesus replied, "It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"
By holding firmly to the belief that God’s Word alone is sufficient, Jesus demonstrated that obeying and trusting in God’s Word without distortion is the key to living the life that God has ordained for us.
Point 2: Trust God, Not Your Feelings – No Matter How Strong They Are.
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
This encourages us to place our trust in God rather than being swayed by our feelings, regardless of their intensity.
Consider the areas of life that tend to trouble us, cause pain, or dominate our thoughts and emotions, diverting our focus away from God. These areas can encompass a range of struggles, such as lust, which can lead to moral and spiritual conflicts. The same applies to the complexities of our relationships with the opposite sex. Lingering emotional wounds from our past or the challenges stemming from our upbringing can also be sources of immense emotional turmoil. Additionally, financial concerns, authority issues, and difficulties in prioritizing the right things in life are common areas that can consume our hearts and minds. Discipline, battling laziness, or dealing with a lack of motivation can also be significant areas of struggle.
Failing to heed God’s guidance in dealing with these issues invariably leads to more pain and destruction in our lives. In the aftermath of such failures, feelings of worthlessness often haunt us, replacing the joy we once experienced before succumbing to sin.
Romans 3:12 "All have turned away, they have together become worthless."
This verse underscores the profound impact of our choices when we lean on our feelings and understanding rather than trusting in God.
Trusting God, no matter how overwhelming our emotions may be, is the key to navigating these challenges effectively. It’s an invitation to rely on His wisdom, guidance, and grace as we seek to overcome the struggles that threaten to consume us. By anchoring our faith in God, we can find our paths straightened and our lives transformed, moving away from the pain and destruction of misplaced trust and toward the enduring peace and purpose that comes from putting our trust in the Lord.
Point 3: Have a Grateful Heart and Mouth
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
Gratitude is a powerful force that can serve as a protective shield for our hearts in the long term. One key aspect of cultivating gratitude is to have a heart and mouth that are consistently filled with thanksgiving.
The Bible underscores the importance of giving thanks repeatedly, with the concept of gratitude mentioned in various forms more than 80 times. Whether it’s presented as a command, a statement, or an action, the Bible emphasizes the value of expressing gratitude. It trains us to see the goodness that God has bestowed upon us, fostering a sense of joy and contentment.
Psalms 28:7-8, The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Conversely, if our prayers and conversations are consistently negative, we are likely to develop a negative outlook on life. This is a lesson many of us learn as young Christians when we engage in lengthy prayer sessions that essentially serve as outlets for our negative feelings and emotions. Similar dynamics apply to our interactions with people. If we spend time with others and constantly convey negativity and complaints, we shouldn’t be surprised if our relationships suffer. People are naturally drawn to those who uplift and appreciate them. Gratitude and expressions of thanks play a significant role in strengthening our relationships and creating an atmosphere of love and respect.
Being Grateful Is Expressed in Giving Thanks
Gratitude isn’t merely a passive feeling; it’s an active expression of appreciation and thankfulness. It’s the conscious act of giving thanks for the blessings and goodness we receive in our lives.
To truly be a grateful person, you must express your gratitude through words and actions. If you feel thankful in your heart but don’t express it through compliments and thanksgiving, you’re missing a crucial aspect of gratitude. It’s in the act of expressing gratitude that we acknowledge and celebrate the goodness we’ve received.
Intellectual gratitude, where you understand and recognize the blessings in your life but don’t express it, can lead to ungratefulness and negativity.
Colossians 3:16 ”Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
Gratitude is fundamentally a condition of the heart, rooted in a deep understanding of how fortunate our lives are. It’s not about comparing ourselves to those immediately around us, but rather to the billions of people in the world who face significant challenges.
To become a genuinely grateful person, you must actively train yourself to express gratitude. This training involves a constant practice of complimenting God for His blessings and thanking others for their contributions to your life.
Conclusion
In our exploration of guarding our hearts, we’ve delved into the profound wisdom of Proverbs 4:23, recognizing the heart as the wellspring of life encompassing our emotions, intellect, desires, and will. Gratitude has emerged as a potent force field, compelling us to express thankfulness and appreciate the goodness we receive, understanding that our words and actions reflect the inner state of our hearts.
We’ve learned the importance of addressing pain, conflict, and sin in a godly manner, finding inspiration in the example of Jesus on the cross, who transformed hurt and betrayal into redemption. Seeking peace, we’ve embraced the role of a clear conscience and grace in our interactions. In recognizing Satan’s subtle tactics, we’ve understood the power of trusting in God over overwhelming feelings.
Guarding our hearts is a continuous journey, a commitment to nurture our hearts with godly wisdom, grace, and love. The call to action is personal: daily gratitude, grace in conflicts, seeking peace, resisting deception, and unwavering trust in God. Our hearts, regardless of their condition, can find renewal and transformation in God’s promise. In this journey, we safeguard the wellspring of life, discover joy, and deepen our relationship with our Creator.
In conclusion, in guarding our hearts, we have discussed that gratitude has emerged as a powerful weapon, as it shapes our words and actions. We have discussed the importance as well to deal with the pain of bitterness and resentment just as Jesus did. All in all, I’ll leave you with a challenge:
- Practice gratitude everyday – listing at least 5 things you are grateful for every day
- Seek to resolve conflicts – Right now, list out conflicts in any of your friends or family and seek to resolved them today
- Pray for an hour with the sole purpose of thanksgiving and praise.