Guard your heart Proverbs 4:23

… the wellsprings of life A source of a spring or stream – origin.

A plentiful source or supply of something

Above all else, guard your affections Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life. Living Bible

Guard

Solomon didn’t … I Kings 10:23 – 11:6 Extremely wealthy – more than anyone Extremely wise – people sought his advice Accumulated chariots (1400) horses (12,000) wives (700) other women (300) I Kings 11:3*

Cain didn’t ... Genesis 4:1-7 Got angry because of the difference in His life situation His face was downcast Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it!

Heart Inner desires, secret desires Inner constructions Motivations, attitudes, thoughts Hidden source of all action and speech (Out of the abundance of the heart …)

If you don’t guard your heart … Evil desires enter, take root and produce havoc – steal your ‘life’, ensnare you The inner evil will grow and overwhelm your decision making You lose your way – sense of direction, end up taking frantic, irrational options

We must learn the inner disciplines Self control Faithfulness Obedience Contentment Trust/faith Honesty Forgiveness Love

How?

Confession How? Meditation Re-thinking Prayer

Results Transformed speech – silence, nourishment, encouragement, healing Sleep – absence of dread, peace Wisdom – guidance, prudence, discretion Transformed relationships – reputation, respect, attraction, reliability