Prov 4: 20 - 27

In Prov 4 v 20 - 23, the father instructs his son to pay attention to what He says and to his words.  He tells him to keep them in his heart for they are life to a man's whole body and that he should guard his heart.

The crux of the matter is that a person should guard one's heart for it is the well-spring of life.  Solomon tells us what King David told him and in the beginning Solomon even asks God for wisdom to rule his people but later Solomon turned from the way and the words of his father and was taken by other women.  He didn't keep David's words and he lost much as a result.

 David, in contrast, sinned once and God healed him and cured him but his sin had consequences. While his child was seriously ill, David mourned.  When he died, David washed and ate, knowing that the child was now in heaven. (This shows those that worship the ancestors, that what they believe is false.  David couldn't do anything more once his child was dead.)  Absolom made war against his father and when fleeing in the battle, his hair was caught in a thicket and he was killed by a general.  Then David grieved for him, knowing that his son had gone to hell whereas if he (David) had died, he would have gone to heaven.  Absolom didn't listen to David's words.  God, however, tells us to keep His words in our hearts.

Why is it that people forsake the way of God?  They don't keep His word in their hearts and Satan deceives them.  If God speaks to you, write it down for this is life to a man's whole body.  It is wonderful if a person loves God.  Lukewarm Christians are a nuisance in the Church.  God's words are life and many die because they do not pay attention to God's word.  This is something that we must do continually.  The heart includes feelings, love and desire etc.  People put fences around their livestock.  In the same way, we need to put boundaries around our feelings and desires.  You can't go after everything your eyes sees.  Like Job, you have to make a covenant with your eyes and keep your eyes fixed on the goal or by sunset of the same day, you will already be derailed spiritually.  You'll mess around with young children if you do not guard your heart.

When a witchdoctor came to KSB to make his life right with God, he didn't do it properly.   When faced with death, he started shouting out all the wicked things he had done like murdering people and spoiling girls.  If you don't make your life right properly, you'll have to admit your sins before the Great Judge.

Try and picture this guarding your heart.  You have to guard your attitude and keep your heart clean.  Guard your eyes and desires.

In Austria, in a village there was a spring with very good water.  The council employed a man to keep the water clean.  It became a very beautiful tourist attraction with beautiful birds etc.  Hotels soon were built as well.  Later, however, a new council didn't really know the man who cleaned the water of leaves and they paid him off.  Eventually, the water became polluted and smelly and the tourist industry soon stopped.  This is what happens if you do not guard your heart,  Take special heed to God's word and guard your heart for it is a well-spring of life.