Guard Your Heart

THE great apostle Paul wrote the main text to the Romans. Nevertheless, it is very much relevant to us in the body of Christ today. Significantly, this servant of God wants us to know that our achievements and successes in life are tied to the usage of our minds. In actual fact, it is the greatest asset given to us by God. The Bible says further in Proverb 4:23 that, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Our minds are like a factory where goods and products are produced.Therefore, our minds are to us what factory is to a manufacturer. It is centre of the processing unit of our life. Every thought and idea is generated and processed in the mind.It is, therefore, expedient that we guide whatever information we store in our minds.

Whatever you programme in your mind will determine the kind of action you take per time. If you meditate on evil thoughts such as sexual immorality, theft, adultery or greed, etc Ñ in your mind, you are sure of falling into sin.That is why you are encouraged to take thoughts captive before it takes you.”We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”(2 Cor 10:5).

In the same vein, if you allow good and pure thoughts in your mind, the end result will make you a righteous individual.The Bible says, “From within, out of a person’s heart, comes evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness”(Mark 7:21-22.) Our eyes, ears and other senses of feeling are the gateway to our minds. The mind has the capacity to retain and process whatever you see, feel or hear.This is why you must ensure that you do not expose yourself to insalubrious things. Christians who want to maintain their walk with God must steer clear of pornographic materials.

Paul in his epistle to the Philippians warned further that, “Dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”(Philippians 4:8).

Why did God through Apostle Paul, warned that we should fix our thought on what is true and honourable?It is an indication that human mind can be corrupted by what we see or hear. For Adam and Eve to fall, the Bible says; in Genesis 3:6, “The woman saw the fruit was good to eat.” If she had not seen the fruit, probably she would not have desired it for food.The tree of life was equally in the garden, but they did not see it, otherwise they would have eaten it as well.

If the government will not censor what television stations beam to the viewers,wisdom demands that Christian viewers must censor what they watch on television.Efforts must also be made to control what your innocent children view and listen to.Unfortunately, many parents are too busy to control the affairs of their children and wards.

After conversion, you must give quality attention to the word of God. Doing this will enhance your spiritual growth and this will allow the Holy Spirit to influence your thought pattern. God wants you to be new and different in your perception so that He can be proud of you. When you obey His commandments, the best in you will emerge. Everything that will give you joy and fulfilment has been made perfect in the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the living God.

God expects you to constantly load your mind with thoughts that are true, noble, right, wholesome, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.Doing this requires a lot of self-discipline. You need the word of God, His Holy Spirit and constant prayer to keep your mind whole. This is why it is good to examine what you read, the kind of movies you watch, and the conversations you listen to. You must not keep bad company because evil communication corrupts good manners.

In case you are already caught in the web of evil thoughts and you imagine bad and negative things always and wish to be free, examine what you allow into your mind through television, internet, books, conversation, movies and magazines. Replace sinful materials with wholesome ones.Above all, pray more and settle more on God’s word. Avoid the temptation of going back to those dirty things. Bid farewell to friends that can lure you back to those old ways.

Fill your mind with godly and goodly thoughts.God will not judge you by your physical appearance. He will judge you by what you have on the inside.

God bless you!

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