Proverbs 4-6: A Kept Heart

Proverbs 4:23
New King James Version (NKJV)


Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.


I quoted this verse to a young lady last night encouraging her to be mindful of her thoughts, which affect emotions and ultimately actions.  His beautiful Spirit flows from a kept heart and life springs from it.  The opposite is true with an "unkept" heart...sin, depression, guilt, sorrow, decay ooze.


The truth of this word has proven itself in my life.  


What does a kept heart look like?


*A kept heart follows Wisdom, which requires constant interaction listening and obeying His direction.


*A kept heart speaks honestly out of love, even when honesty hurts.


*A kept heart is not willful, but flexible and yielding to others.  It does insist on its own way, but yields gracefully. 


*A kept heart is mindful if its gaze knowing that the gift of sight can induce righteousness or unrighteousness.  This includes physical sight as well as imaginative sight (thoughts).


*A kept heart considers the path on which it walks always turning aside from evil in all of its forms.


Holy Spirit, please empower us to keep our hearts with all diligence.  Be the Watchman on the holy wall that surrounds our heart, Lord.  Empower us to hear and obey Your direction. We desire love and life to flow from us.  These eternal attributes change the environment surrounding us.  We want to flow with You!  In Jesus' name, AMEN!