r focus last week was on the first part of Proverbs 4:23 with special attention to the word, “guard.”
Prov 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This week can we consider the second part of this verse with a focus on the key word, “Flows?”
Prov 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Spurgeon has suggested that the human heart is like a great reservoir. For today, a simple illustration, picture for us to use. In the natural a reservoir is a place where water is collected and stored. Typically rain, snowmelt and natural springs will help to feed and fill the reservoir for the purpose of providing good water to cities, to communities, to families.
Can we take for today this simple understanding of the “natural reservoir” and see how it can be applied to the human heart (reservoir). What feeds (fills) your heart will determine what flows out from your heart.
Consider these verses of scripture.
Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Mark 7:20- 23” He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
James 3:11 “Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?”
Php 4:7-8 “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
1 Tim 1:5 “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
Prov 4:20-22 “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
Three important keys for us to remember my friend:
1. Keep your heart full
2. Keep your heart pure
3. Keep your heart at peace
Like a reservoir, the follower of Jesus must continually fill his heart with the living water of Gods word. It is from this “filling” that one can be a conduit, pathway for living waters to flow out to others.