“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

The author of this proverb, likely Solomon, was obviously not writing about our physical heart, but that part of our consciousness that controls our moral outlook, strongest feelings, and our passions. It is also the part of us that can be manipulated into false beliefs.

I think what the Proverb is telling us is that our heart, this moral consciousness, must be controlled by our mind, our conscious decisions and disciplines, not the other way around. By guarding or hearts from manipulation we stay in control of our lives, and even better, we direct our passions to the noble pursuits God desires.

Dear Lord, we are each beautifully and wonderfully made, but unless we follow your design for ourselves, we can be misled away from your will. Help us guard our hearts so that we will use them to bring passion and energy to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.