Wisdom for everyday living is found in the Book of Proverbs. The author directs us on how to get this wisdom too. He gives much emphasis to listening to a father’s instruction, as the one who has a supply of wisdom churned out of all the experiences in life. He tells us to get it at any cost so that it can grace our life and crown our head which will bring exaltation and honor in life.

The way of wisdom as the writer expounds leads one along a straight path and those who keep to it do not stumble. Wisdom calls for every faculty of our being to pay attention to it:

 

• Turn your ear to my words (Pro 4:20)
   

• Do not let them out of your sight (Pro 4:21)
   

• Keep them within your heart (Pro 4:21)
   

• Keep your mouth… (Pro 4:24)
   

• Let your eyes look straight ahead (Pro 4:25)
   

• Give careful thought to the paths for your feet (Pro 4:26)
   

• Do not turn to the right or the left; [our body]  (Pro 4:27)

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The key verse admonishes us to guard our heart above all else! The heart which is the seat of our emotions and that works with our mind to make decisions is to be kept with all diligence! 

First and foremost, we have to examine if our heart is steered in the right direction by the one to whom we have given the reins of our heart. If we have enthroned Christ Jesus in our hearts, by making Him our Lord and Saviour, the course of our life is streamlined by the Holy Spirit.  Luke 6:45 says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Storing up the right stuff in the heart is very important if we want to bring forth the good!  

Now the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart! If the heart determines the course of our life, we better take care of it well! A few steps to ensure our heart is kept good:

 

• A Clean heart:  “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Ps.51:10).  Just as our clothes get soiled by dirt, so does our heart by the sins of the world. We need constant cleansing of our heart by the precious blood of Christ that can cleanse us from all sin (1 John 1:9)
   

• A Good Deposit:  “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Ps.119:11). A healthy dose of God’s Word(which is living and active )daily can keep out the corruptness of flesh
   

• A Right Thinking:  “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” (Phil.4:8). Our thoughts will determine our words and actions and hence this checklist can help us filter the wrong stuff
   

• A Heart Trust:   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” (Prov.3:5). The heart will lean towards where its trust lies. If our wholehearted trust is in God, we won’t be swerved this way or that by the world’s standards.
   

• The Peace Guard:  “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:7). Worry and anxiety can drain the strength of the heart. But God’s Shalom (peace) can keep off those infiltrators!

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Let us examine our hearts today, where the affections and the attitudes of our heart stand. Are they in Christ and His Word? Then the course of your life will be well!

 

Food for Thought:

“The neglected heart will soon be a heart

overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon

become a moral chaos.”  

-A.W. Tozer


 

Listen- ‘LORD I give You my heart’