“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23 NASB)
We understand the importance of guarding the heart when it comes to children. We don’t let them watch, listen to, or read whatever they want. Television shows, movies, books, and music are screened (hopefully!) to insure the material is age appropriate for them.
But what about us? Are we guarding our own hearts? Are we making sure the material is appropriate spiritually? Or are we filling our hearts with all manner of evil? Um, yeah, I said evil. I know we don’t tend to think of it that way, but that number one song on the charts with the nice beat and the catchy lyrics that lust about going to bed with someone—not a spouse—is evil. Ditto the movies, television shows, and books that celebrate the same.
We have to understand that Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), and therefore prince of the entertainment world. He wants to fill our hearts with unholy material because he knows that out of the heart flow the issues of life. We can only put out what we’re putting in. We will not walk in holiness and righteousness if we’re filling our hearts with junk. It’s a basic spiritual principle. If we’re well-versed in the popular songs of the day but have little knowledge of Scripture, there’s an input issue.
I know. Ouch. Somebody’s mad with me. Might unsubscribe. But this is what Colored in Christ is about—coloring our perspective with the Word of God. It’s easy to swim with the flow of culture. But when we do that, it’s the enemy who will get the glory.
Out of the heart come “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly” (Mark 7:21 NIV). That’s why Proverbs says to “watch over your heart with all diligence” (4:23). Input matters. If we fill our hearts with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8), we will bear good fruit, and that fruit will bring glory to God.
What are you inputting? Are you watching over your heart with all diligence?
Heavenly Father, help me to watch over my heart with all diligence. Give me wisdom and discernment about what I watch, listen to, and read. Help me to make choices that glorify You and keep my heart and mind pure, that I may bear good fruit, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
