Yesterday’s devotional stressed the importance of guarding our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

In that verse we are also told WHY we should be on guard: “for everything you do flows from [your heart].” Just as a river flows from a spring, everything we do as people flows from that deep inner place where we feel, think, and where our true priorities are shaped and reside.

Yes, that’s right. Everything you do is impacted by either your success or failure at guarding your heart. Sounds important, doesn’t it?

In a year of uncertainty, what kind of a person are you going to be in your most significant relationships? What is your state of mind going to be like? How is Jesus going to use you for his good purposes?

If you are continually and proactively protecting and shaping your attitudes and priorities, you will be better positioned to be successful in those areas and more.

Talk about motivation!

In 2013 a man went into a bank in south London. He had a gun and pointed it at a bank teller. James Rowley was standing at the next teller. Rowley realized that the gun was a fake. After the robber left, Rowley ran after him and pinned him down, and waited for the police to arrive.

That story is one of valiant guardianship, but it makes me think of something else too: that your heart is eternally more valuable than anything we would ever find in the world’s biggest bank. 

Don’t let Satan take a stroll through your soul, burgling your integrity and depriving you and your loved ones of the goodness God has invested in your life.

Guard your heart. Everything you do flows from it.

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Notes:

–You can watch the video of James Rowley on YouTube here.

–Bible quotes from the NIV.