Over the last few months, I’ve thought a lot about what I look at and listen to. For example, television, music, news, talk shows, Facebook, etc. How does it all affect me? How does it influence my thinking and my attitudes?
The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 NIV
What does that mean exactly? I decided to dig in.
A wellspring is the source of a spring or abundant supply. OK. Above all else, I should guard my heart because it is a spring of abundant supply of something called “life”. Hmmm. I still didn’t get it, so I dug in more. I found some clues.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” NLT
So, how well I guard my heart determines the course of my life. Well, that’s certainly been true enough (and sometimes in a bad way).
“. . . out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45
My mouth reveals what’s in my heart. Can’t argue with that, either.
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Sometimes we think God only looks at our actions, but what he really examines is our heart. Well, that’s certainly something we should think about! That tells me that no matter how many good works I perform, He is still going to look at my heart.
“. . . the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” (1 Chronicles 28: 9
He knows me better than I know myself.
If I’m going to guard my heart, I must be careful what I allow to influence me. One thing that concerns me is TV, especially the news. Honestly, it doesn’t do anything positive for my attitude. However, I’ve learned that the more I listen to and sing Christian music, the closer I feel to God.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Psalm 146: 1-2
My heart is the spring that nourishes my life. Is that spring sparkling clean or is it polluted by the things of this world? Well, I guess that depends on how well I guard my heart. Are you guarding your heart?
With Love, Cindy
Do you want to know more about Jesus? Click this link to learn more: Who Is Jesus?
realchristianwomen.blog
Real Christian Women 
A very important and always timely message Cindy. I am constantly battling in my walk with God with outside sources that could so easily pollute my spiritual body. In recent years I have watched far less television, being very selective in what I spend time on. I used to read a lot of fiction novels, which had to go…giving more time to His Word. I wouldn’t say that I have cracked it, for every day brings a new challenge. May our Father God’s Spirit be ever present guiding us each day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same with me, Alan. I am more conscious of outside influences than ever. The Lord protects us if we will listen. Blessings, my friend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks much for sharing. Thought provoking
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading, Fay Ann. Blessings!
LikeLike
Blessings received with gratitude and returned in abundance
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a confirmation for me. I have been thinking on this since Thursday night when I found this song by reading a blog that came to my email. The song is about God refining us. I realized how blessed I was and that there is SOOO much more worship music out there that could real me into the Father than the 50 repeated songs on my Pandora station. I normally wouldn’t do this but I will leave the link to the song. It is a song of surrender.
Blessings Cindy– I hope you weren’t totally snowed in Thursday.
Kate
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I’ve been out of town so I missed most of the snow. I’m so glad you liked the post. Blessings, Kate!
LikeLike
Thanks for encouraging me to think about this, as it applies to my own life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Blessings!
LikeLike
Cindy this post was so amazing! I was just in conversation about that very same thing with another fellow blogger recently. We were discussing their word for the year and how important it is to keep our hearts from roots of bitterness, anger and anything seeking to stain our heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, this is a subject I need to revisit frequently. Blessings, Renee!
LikeLike
Indeed, the greatest battlefield is the battlefield of the mind. This truth cannot be overemphasized. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Keep up the good work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your encouraging words! Blessings!
LikeLike
You’re right, Cindy. Music has a way of getting into our minds, our hearts, our spirits. Thank God for gifted songwriters. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
And singers! Blessings, Annie!
LikeLike
My husband and I used to love to watch the news. But the last six months it is so full of hatred and lies and little “real” news. We have quit watching it and just like you playing more Christian music. It makes a difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think there are a lot of people taking this approach. The news can be so depressing. Blessings, Grandma (from Mimi)
LikeLike
I definitely avoid certain types of books, tv & movies because of the sexual content. I have been shocked at the explicit content in some novels by “Christian” authors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Really? I didn’t know that. How disappointing. I have read a lot of books by Lynn Austin. I really like her. You might try one of her books.She writes historical fiction from a Christian view.
LikeLike
Thank you for the recommendation
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so agree Cindy that we have to be careful with what we allow to influence us and like you said the news does not do positive things for us.
I like the verses you have mentioned, reminding us that what lies within is what matters to God and that from the hearts pours out our actions.
Thank you Cindy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting. I hope you are well. It’s always good to hear from you. Blessings, Manu!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent points, Cindy. For me, it’s the books I read. None are “bad,” per se, but how do they affect my heart? Do they glorify God? I need to be more discerning.
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God is faithful to convict us when we look at something we shouldn’t (unless we harden our hearts, that is). Blessings, Kathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Eileen. I always appreciate a repost. Blessings!
LikeLike
Thank you. Blessings!
LikeLike
Very true. #guardthegates
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting. Blessings!
LikeLike
🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post! Such an important reminder, especially in this day and age.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for commenting. Blessings, Sarah!
LikeLiked by 1 person