By Marianne Mauti
Guard Your Heart
Today's article is the final in our series called, "The Heart of the Matter." In our last installment we discovered that in order to maintain our spiritual heart health we must be diligent in examining our heart health. If we see our heart straying from God we have to immediately repent, turn from our sin and re-turn, turn back to God. When we do that, God is faithful to forgive us! Once we have turned our heart back to God we have to work at guarding our heart! This is an ongoing process!Our effort to protect our heart is one of the most important things we do! If you effectively protect your car from theft, your home from burglary, your property from damage, your financial interests from failure and your body from personal illness and injury and fail to protect your heart (the most important one), that singular failure will effect every other area of your life! More personal ruin and eternal loss has been caused by a failure to protect this one thing than all failures to protect material matters combined and yet we give very little thought to 'keeping our Heart'.
The natural man lives independently of God and controls and directs his life. The spirit filled man completely follows God's plan which requires us to trust God with our future.
As long as we live in this flesh we still possess the ability to fall prey to our old nature. The capacity for believers to fall into selfish pursuits or desires and choose a life apart from the knowledge of God is one that is all too familiar to the writers of the old and New Testament: "Above all else, guard your heart…" Proverbs 4:23:
In the preceding scripture, Solomon begins with a command to watch over (you are responsible) our heart. This scripture reveals the importance God places on guarding our heart. He declares to us that this must be our highest priority, "above everything else." That is quite a command! Obviously if the 'heart' is at the center of all our thoughts and actions, it would make perfect sense for it to be the most highly guarded part of our being!
So what does it mean to 'guard' our heart? The hebrew word for guard is 'pas' which means: to watch, a person who stayed on watch at a guard post, as in guarding a possessions, watching as one would something precious, observing attentively, calling for us to make it a habit, or a continual practice.
If our heart controls our life, serving as the wellspring of all of our actions, and the seat of all the principles, then it is foundational to our behavior and essential to our well being. We need to be on guard because this is where the adversary is continually looking for a chink in our armor. Because our heart is easily deceived, Solomon gives us one of the most important practical responsibilities of the Christian life. It is to be…..
Properly Prepared
Just as the human heart needs preparation through proper diet and exercise in order to handle strenuous activity and be healthy in general, so one's spiritual heart must be properly prepared if it is going to be able to effectively respond to God in the varied situations of life. This is important to understand if we are to effectively 'guard our heart!
As long as we live in this flesh we still possess the ability to fall prey to our old nature. The capacity for believers to fall into selfish pursuits or desires and choose a life apart from the knowledge of God is one that is all too familiar to the writers of the old and New Testament: "Above all else, guard your heart…" Proverbs 4:23:
In the preceding scripture, Solomon begins with a command to watch over (you are responsible) our heart. This scripture reveals the importance God places on guarding our heart. He declares to us that this must be our highest priority, "above everything else." That is quite a command! Obviously if the 'heart' is at the center of all our thoughts and actions, it would make perfect sense for it to be the most highly guarded part of our being!
So what does it mean to 'guard' our heart? The hebrew word for guard is 'pas' which means: to watch, a person who stayed on watch at a guard post, as in guarding a possessions, watching as one would something precious, observing attentively, calling for us to make it a habit, or a continual practice.
Properly Prepared
Just as the human heart needs preparation through proper diet and exercise in order to handle strenuous activity and be healthy in general, so one's spiritual heart must be properly prepared if it is going to be able to effectively respond to God in the varied situations of life. This is important to understand if we are to effectively 'guard our heart!
Preparation through the Biblical disciplines of repentance, prayer, study of the Word, scripture memorization, fellowship with believers, being a part of a local church, will help us to respond positively to God when we face the situations and circumstances of life.
The temptation to sin will always be there. The consequences of yielding to the temptation will translate into every area of your life and will cause a rippling effect that can give the enemy of your peace, joy and happiness, the opportunity to regain a foothold. What we cannot do is yield to it, be governed by it and be deceived by it. The Bible tells us that with every temptation God has already prepared a way for us to deal with it and be victorious over it! All we need to do is prepare our heart, follow His instruction and we can overcome every assault that comes our way! If we choose not to do what the Word of God tell us, then we will not be able to withstand the temptation. Temptation is not sin, we are all tempted. Giving in to the temptation is sin! When you are negligent or willfully refuse to prepare yourselves for "temptation", you are setting yourself up for failure. The real enemy of your success is you! We don't ever have had to live in the pain or consequences of our transgressions, it is a choice. Their is no power great enough to overcome a born again believer. The only way anything can overtake you is by ignoring the possibility and not properly preparing your heart for the assault. "And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not PREPARE its heart, and whose spirit was not faithful to God." Psalm 78:8
"My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul." Psalm 108:1. The Hebrew word for "prepare" and "steadfast" (in the scripture's above) is 'kuwn'. It's basic meaning is to be ; firm, established, stable. It is used in the Old Testament to describe a house fixed on a foundation, of the establishment of a throne or a Kingdom, and of persons being established, secure and enduring. It was also used in terms of preparing words for wise speech, preparing the foundation for Solomon's temple, set in order before God, preparing the sacrifice, preparing the heart. In psalm 112:7-8 it translates as preparing the heart to be firm, focused, and fixed on the Lord in the sense of trust. "They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear." (PS. 112:7-8).
The point is that the heart can only become steadfast, stable, when it has been properly prepared in a Biblical sense.
The same word used in Psalm 108:1 for preparing the heart to worship the Lord, the KJV translates this as "My heart is fixed- steadfast." We have the idea here, that it is steadfast because it has been spiritually prepared. Remember,"faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17.
The Spiritual Blueprint
As the heavens were prepared, fixed and established by God's understanding, so our hearts are made stable by the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of Christ which are found in His Word. God's Word is the BLUEPRINT for life!!!!
"I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they may know the mystery od God, namely, Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." (Col. 2:1-6)
The Church in Colossae had begun to listen to false teachers and Paul was worried that the Christians would be influenced. Paul wrote to them to remind them about Jesus and His true message. The apostle was praying that the Colossians would be filled with the knowledge of the will of God in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, which is necessary for the preparation of a steadfast heart. Paul wanted them to grow and walk in maturity. He praised them because their heart had united them in love and this love would be strengthened and remain steadfast through the knowledge and wisdom of God. He encouraged them to continue to trust in Christ.
In Colossians, the apostle reminds them that when we are united in love (with God and others) the full riches, complete understanding and the mystery of God through Christ are there for us to freely access! It will prepare you and keep you from falling into error. You will not be deceived by false teachers, false doctrines and a false direction. When the heart is properly prepared it will keep you in spiritual unity with Gods mind, will and purpose for your life! You will then recognize lies and anything that is false. As believers, we have full access to the wisdom and knowledge of God! It is the 'inheritance' of redeemed man and integral to the health and well being of our heart. It is also part of our daily communion with God while we are on the earth.
Our heart will want to, at times, wander and veer off onto a path we think is good or inciting. We can draw strength from Him through His Word. It will prepare us for every temptation and keep our heart steadfast through every test. The strength of God , wisdom of God and knowledge of His Word, are all there to help you get back on the right course!
With All Of My Heart
Love with all your heart: "Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."Duet. 6:5
Seek with all your heart: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart." Jer. 29:13
Give thanks,with all your heart: I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart, I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Psalm 9:1
Believe God and His Word with all your heart: "And Phillip said, 'If you believe with all of your heart,you may.' and He answered and said,'Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' " Acts 8:37
If your heart is centered around God you can be sure that your spiritual armor will be strong and your heart will be safe!
Series Conclusion
If we are steadfast and faithful to nurture and tend to the key areas of our life , so many of the issues we face can be resolved without devastating and sometimes life long consequences ! Adversity is a part of the fallen world we live in. The quality of our time here depends greatly on understanding what is, At the "Heart" of the Matter
So here is a brief re-cap of our series:
* A Healthy Spiritual Heart... Is Gods Biblical prescription for a Healthy Spiritual Heart! We are responsible to 'keep our heart' soft and pliable before Him. If we do, we won't ever have to worry about hardening!
* The Hardening Heart… Hardening in our heart can only take place if we don't properly care for it and keep our heart toward God. Spiritual seeds of rebellion can work their way into our hearts until it begins to harden against God. God warns us to hear His voice and 'DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART'!
* The Repentant Heart… God is patient and merciful. He is always drawing us to Repentance. God is wanting us to confess our sin, turn away from it and turn ( re-turn) back toward Him. When we do, He is faithful to forgive us and remove the penalty of our sin from us 'just as if we never did it.'
* Guard Your Heart… Preparing your heart, being steadfast in the wisdom and knowledge of God will put a fortress of power and strength around your heart! Don't think you are 'to smart' or 'to mature' in the things of God to fall prey to earthly or evil enticement, meant to lead you from the path God has established for you!
The well being of our spiritual heart finds it's health and well being in the culmination of all of these!
Be willing to keep your heart soft and pliable before Him to prevent a hardening from taking place. If your heart has become hardened repent and be restored to God! Keep watch over your heart it is the well spring, the source of your life!
THANK YOU…. for following this journey with us! We hope this series on the spiritual condition of the heart has been informative, beneficial and above all, life changing to you! If you missed any of this 4 part series, please go to….. fyfaith.bolgspot.com
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FORGING YOUR FAITH
To 'Forge' something, is to mold and shape something for suitable use. We believe that our lives are constantly being shaped and molded by the hand of God for His divine purpose! This publication strives to encourage believers who are beginning this process and those who are well into it! We also believe a truly successful life is a Christ-Centered Life! We hope you will join us and become a regular reader!
Thank You and God Bless,
Marianne Mauti
Founder and CAO
'Forging Your Faith' is the online Christian publication of 'Christ the King Church' in Bellevue, Pa.
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com ***********************************************************
ARTICLE RESOURCES
ARTICLE RESOURCES
*Dr. George R. Beninate: Is Bishop of "Christ the King Church" in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Doctor of Theology, Biblical Apologist, conference speaker, lecturer and my spiritual father.He is also the Author of several books including,"The Age of Glory", Thank you for your relentless pursuit of truth!
*The Bible
*Dr. George R. Beninate
