PROVERBS 4:23 NIV

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life.

PROVERBS 4:23 NASB

23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life.

1. The heart determines our RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

a. Our relationship with the Lord begins in the heart.

ROMANS 10:9-10

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

b. Our relationship with the Lord is maintained by the heart.

2 TIMOTHY 2:22

22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2. The heart determines WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE THINK, SAY and DO.

a. The heart is the wellspring of our THOUGHTS.

MATTHEW 9:4

4 “And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?”

b. The heart is the wellspring of our WILL.

ACTS 11:23

23 “Who, when he arrived and saw the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain with the Lord with purpose of heart.”

c. The heart is the wellspring of our EMOTIONS.

PROVERBS 14:13

13 Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

JOHN 16:22

22 “Therefore you also now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you.”

d. The heart is the wellspring of our WORDS.

LUKE 6:45

45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

HOW DO YOU GUARD YOUR HEART?

a. Watch what you watch and listen.

b. Watch what you think.