Whatever you let into your heart will flow directly into the lives of those you love. If you guard your heart you guard those whom you love. If your heart is not guarded then you directly expose those closest to you to the evil attacks of the enemy.
Proverbs 4:23 warns you to guard your heart:
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
In other words the ideas, the images, the influences you allow to flow into your heart become the substance of what flows out of your heart and out of your mouth.
Fathers and husbands are you winning the war of purity and sexual temptation? Mothers and wives are you overcome by discouragement and cynicism? If the answer is yes you are a pipeline that brings harm directly into the lives of those whom you love.
Do you guard what flows into your heart? Are there things that are more exciting to you than the person of Christ? Are you enticed by anger? Do you long for what you do not have? Are you plagued by bitter thoughts, impure thoughts? Are you conscious of the importance of protecting your heart from a godless, deceptive culture and bitter disappointments?
Psalm 19 says God’s words will bring joy to your heart. Is that true for you?
If you truly love those in your family, your desire must be focused on the protection of your heart. If you are frequently saddened or embarrassed by things that you say and thoughts that you have, these are signs of an unprotected heart.
Psalm 19 speaks of the wonder of God displayed in creation and the beauty of God’s word displayed in your heart. Heed the wisdom of God’s Spirit. Guard your heart so that you can guard the lives of those in your family.
