Take God's Word to Heart

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to ones whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Prov. 4:20-23

These verses are found in the book of Proverbs, largely written by Solomon, the second son of David, King of Israel. The central theme of the book is in chapter one, verse seven. It says The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Im amazed and often saddened by our American television fare. I dont watch much of it, because it tends to depress or grieve my spirit. Most is contrary to Gods ways and His word. Television, books, magazines, and movies do give insight into our culture and the influences that shape it. My thoughts today are about what influences you and me the most  Gods Word, or the secular society we live in? Its a sobering thought, and important to our health and well-being.

Solomon tells us to pay attention to Gods words and to keep them in our hearts. These words are life to those who find them and health to all their body. He then goes on to tell us to guard our heart, because it is the wellspring of life. What does that mean?

Our physical heart is the basis for our physical life. We cant sustain life if our heart no longer works. Our figurative heart is the seat of our affections. Its where we choose what we love and value. Our heart chooses what we will or wont do. Whatever is in our hearts will come out. Good things come out of a good heart, and the opposite is true.

In times of stress, illness, and trials we especially need to check what were putting into our hearts and minds. Are we feeding upon negative, defeating thoughts, and listening to negative words? What exactly are we looking at, be it reading, TV, or movies? Do the things we feed into our hearts and minds bring peace and contribute to our health and well-being, or do they detract? I encourage you to take an inventory of your day regarding this issue. What exactly are you putting into your heart?

What are some ways we can guard our hearts and by so doing increase our well-being? We guard our hearts by putting God first in our affections through worship, dedication, surrender to his will, and learning and doing what the word of God instructs.

Guarding our hearts is active. Its not passive. It requires we do something. Its a decision of our will to ask ourselves if what were doing and saying pleases the Lord. Lord, does this TV program please you? Lord, is my attitude pleasing to you? Lord, am I holding anger against my neighbor? These are a few questions we can ask ourselves during the day. By so doing, we stay in tune with the Master, Jesus Christ. We honor Him, and we guard our hearts. The core of our being becomes a core that is more and more in tune with God and His ways. The wellspring of life (in our hearts) is refreshing and pleasing to God and those around us. The spring of living water, or wellspring, waters us with joy and cleanliness as we attend to Gods Word, by both hearing it and applying it in our lives.

Lets take Solomons words to heart. You and I can make a new commitment today to attend to Gods Word, and, secondly, to guard our hearts from becoming overtaken with our secular culture. My prayer is that we hunger and thirst for Gods Word and ways, and, by so doing, bring forth a wellspring of life that causes health and healing to spring forth around us.

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