Guard Your Heart: The Power of Thoughts and Words
Introduction
Today, I would like to explore the significance of our thought life and its impact on our being. Proverbs teaches us, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." This profound statement not only encompasses a person's entire being but also extends to every condition and circumstance of their life. Essentially, we are the sum of our thoughts. Our character, integrity, and true self are shaped by what we ponder on. Moreover, our thoughts inevitably influence our words, and what we speak often reflects what we believe.
The Power of the Heart
Luke 6:45 NLT states, " A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. What you say flows from what is in your heart." Similarly, Matthew 12:34 NLT echoes this by saying, " Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Therefore, guarding our hearts is crucial because it determines our words and actions.
Why Guard Your Heart?
Proverbs 4:23 NLT advises, " Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life." Here are four reasons why this is so important:
1. Your Heart is Extremely Valuable
We guard what is valuable, and our hearts are no exception. Unlike worthless items like garbage, which we leave unguarded, our hearts are the essence of who we are. They house our dreams, desires, and passions, and connect us to God and others. Just as the death of our physical heart means the end of our physical life, the death of our spiritual heart signifies the end of our true self.
2. Your Heart is the Source of Everything You Do
King Solomon describes the heart as the "wellspring of life." It influences our thoughts, words, and actions. Just like an aquifer replenishes itself and is vital for the surrounding environment, our hearts need to be healthy to sustain our lives. If the heart becomes unhealthy, it affects everything—our family, friends, ministry, career, and legacy. Guarding our hearts is imperative to maintain a wholesome life.
3. Your Heart is Under Constant Attack
Solomon's instruction to guard our hearts implies that we live in a combat zone. We face an enemy determined to destroy us and everything aligned with God. This spiritual warfare is real, affecting even our leaders. Clergy members often face higher rates of obesity, hypertension, depression, and shorter life expectancy. This is a result of constant spiritual attacks leading to disappointment, discouragement, and disillusionment. Therefore, to succeed and survive, we must guard our hearts.
4. Out of the Abundance of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks
Words are powerful. **Hebrews 11:3** tells us that God created the universe with His words. Similarly, our words, stemming from our hearts, have the power to create and influence our lives. They can steer our direction like a ship's rudder. This is why we must be vigilant about what fills our hearts. We are made in God's image, possessing the creative power of words. What we meditate on will eventually be spoken, shaping our reality.
The Authority of Words
Mark 11:23-24 emphasizes the power of belief and words: "You can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart." Similarly, in Luke 7, we see the Roman officer's faith in Jesus' word to heal his servant. Recognizing the authority of Jesus' words, the officer demonstrated the transformative power of spoken faith.
Proverbs 18:21 NLT reminds us, " Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. " So, it is essential to guard our hearts because they are valuable, the source of our actions, constantly under attack, and the wellspring of our words. Our words, born from our hearts, possess creative power. So, what is in your heart? Guard it diligently, for it shapes your reality and life.
References
(New Living Translation Bible, 1996)
(New King James Version, 1982)