Beautiful Word Devotional #177

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23

Have you ever said something and wondered where that comment came from? Or maybe an idea crossed your mind that you wouldn’t tell your best friend about—and exactly where did that come from? Or maybe you did something completely out of character and ask yourself, What was I thinking?

We read in Proverbs that everything—our words, our thoughts, our choices, our decisions, our priorities—comes from our hearts. When a heart is full of God’s love, beautiful words and ideas flow from it. Are you paying attention to your heart?

The wise writer of Proverbs warned us to guard our hearts. We need to protect our hearts against bitterness, impatience, and greed, against jealousy, idolatry, and anger. These traits will overtake our hearts if we let them. We must also guard our hearts against unsafe people, unhealthy relationships, and ungodly activities and entertainment.

Protect your heart so that beautiful words, ideas, and actions flow from it, for your good and God’s glory!

Lord, please show me where I need to protect my heart, amen.