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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HEART
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
Proverbs 4:23

Philippians 4:7

 

“Keep thy heart with

all diligence…”

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HEART
 
Man as created by God consists of a material part (the body) and a nonmaterial part (often called the soul, or spirit). The term “heart,” as it is commonly used today, may refer to either of these parts: so we may speak of the “heart” in terms of physiology, or psychology. Biblically, however, the term “heart” is used in reference to the non-material part of man ‒ and not usually to the emotions, but rather to the mind or will.
 
It is in this sense that we are to understand Solomon’s exhortation in Proverbs 4:23 that we “keep” (or guard) our hearts “with all diligence.” The non-material part of man, as much as the material part, is God’s domain, and ought to be governed by His law. God did not merely make our hands, and command us not to steal; He also made our hearts, and commands us not to covet. Indeed, the heart, if anything, is more important because it is the heart (the mind and the will) that directs the hands, the feet, the mouth, and so on: informing what we do, where we go, and what we say. Thus Jesus warns us: “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt 12:34, cf. Luke 6:45).
 
This is what Solomon means when he goes on to speak of the “issues of life.” The word “issue” here does not refer to a matter or subject, but to an outgoing flow or stream (cf. the woman with the “issue of blood,” Matt 9:20 ‒ not a problem of blood, but a literal flow of blood). It is from the heart that all the decisions and activities of life flow forth; the heart is the source, in other words, that determines how our life is lived.
 
How important, therefore, that we guard our hearts “with all diligence”! What goes on in the inner recesses of our minds? What thoughts do we savour in times of solitude and idleness? What is the inclination of your will, and the bent of your desire? Be assured that what is in your heart will not remain hidden: it will flow out into your life, and if it is evil, the results may be disastrous for you and those dear to you. Dear reader, be warned! In the following days we will consider various aspects of the heart we as Christians ought (and ought not) to have. May the Lord help us diligently to “keep” our hearts, according to this biblical pattern.
 
THOUGHT: God searches and tries the heart; nothing is hid from Him.

PRAYER: Father, help me to guard my heart diligently!

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