As you read through Proverbs you may notice an interesting correlation. Most, if not all, of the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament are rooted in wisdom that can be found in Proverbs. This is not coincidental. Jesus is the embodiment of the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The words of Proverbs are the words of Jesus, who is the Word of God! In the verse above we are told to guard our heart, because everything we do flows from it. In other words, protect what you allow to come in, because what comes out will reflect what you let in. In Luke 6:45 Jesus says it this way: “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 the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” What are ways we guard our hearts? The Apostle Paul answers that question in Philippians 4:8: “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

1. Take a moment to ask God to search your heart. Ask him if there is anything you need to confess and surrender to him.

2. Ask God to reveal any guardrails you should put in place to protect your heart.