Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. —Proverbs 4:23

Click Here to Read Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 4

“Just a little bit,” I said as I made myself a hot cup of Colombian Vanilla coffee one morning. “A little bit can’t possibly kill me.” A few minutes later, my heart was racing. The back of my neck became tight and my hands were trembling. I felt dizzy, was sweating profusely, short of breath and about to pass out. Immediately regretting my decision, I cried out to God, begging him to calm my nerves and ease my palpitating heart. It didn’t stop though. I felt like I was going to die. Why would I risk my heart to try a bit of something I knew was not good for me? 

How often do we find ourselves in situations like this? How often do we tempt fate by saying, “A little bit can’t possibly kill me”? We get tempted to engage in a little bit of premarital sex or try a little bit of drugs; take a little bit of money that doesn’t belong to us, or watch a little bit of porn. Whatever our “little bit” is, by yielding to the temptation we put ourselves in life-threatening, unholy situations—risking our hearts, souls and lives for momentary pleasures and things we know can cause us pain and even destroy us.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12 the Bible says, “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial.” What a powerful verse. Everything we do in this life has consequences. Just because something feels good in the moment doesn’t mean it won’t harm us in the end. Proverbs 4:23 is also very instructive: “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Guarding our hearts can look like avoiding coffee if we suffer from anxiety or panic attacks. It can also look like avoiding folks and situations that lead to sin and heartbreak. The healthiest heart is the heart that is closest to Jesus. As Christians, may we be more cognizant of the things that are temporary and non-beneficial and choose to guard our hearts by allowing in only pure, non-toxic things.

Reflection: What do you need to guard your heart against? With the help of the Holy Spirit, what practical steps can you take to do so this week? 

Prayer starter:

Jesus, thank you for your wisdom. Help me to guard my heart against temporary, unfulfilling things and relationships. Forgive me for the times I thought anyone or anything but you could satisfy me. May the things that flow from my heart be a direct reflection of your love and grace.

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