The verse that you are referencing is Proverbs 4:23.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
I have been told this a bunch in my lifetime, and almost always is referencing a boy, and guarding my heart emotionally in my conversation/relationship with him. Practically, I interpret that to mean not telling a boy EVERYTHING you are feeling. As girls, we are more emotionally bonded to guys through sharing. Sharing our thoughts, our emotions, our dreams…essentially, our hearts.
When we share our hearts, it deepens our feelings for that guy, and might put us in a place where we reveal too much personal information to someone who is not going to be our husband. Sometimes when that happens, and a relationship breaks up, it is very painful because we have let a guy “in” (into our hearts), when the safest place for our hearts is smack in the middle of God’s tender hands.
But…that’s not the only meaning to this verse! The Hebrew word used for heart (leb) is translated to mean more than just our emotions! It also means our will, our inclination, our mind. So, you see, to guard our heart, we must do more than simply be careful with our emotional attachments! For example, we should be monitoring what we see, listen to, or engage in. Is the music and television that we listen to helping us become more godly, or does it cause us to want things that do not glorify Christ?
The reason guarding our heart (emotions, mind, will) is so important is answered in the same verse…because it is the wellspring of life. Another translation says it this way, “…for it is the source of life.” Whatever I allow in my heart will become what my life is about. Therefore, I must protect it against anything that is ungodly.
How are you doing with guarding your heart?
Comments (2)
I know that for me personally, I need to do better at guarding my heart...guy wise. I've given it away many times to guys that weren't what I thought and I got hurt...I'm changing that, but ya know what that's like. "Old habits die hard" is what they say. Thanks y'all for putting this out! It really helps us girls that have lots of questions! :) Keep up the good work!
Posted by Katie | November 30, 2007 3:09 PM
yep, guard your heart definitely. dont just let any guy in, being a Christian is a very important thing, and most of all your parents opinion. make sure you parents like them and approve. they know more than you think ;) trust me, take it from a girl with experience. i promise you it will be worth it in the end. dont make that mistake.
Posted by Kelsey | December 19, 2007 11:57 PM