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heart = mind
By steve | May 14, 2010
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”….Proverbs 23:7
Life’s battles, challenges, successes and or failures are all fought, won or lost in the mind.
“Keep your heart with all diligence,” said Solomon, “for out of it are the issues of life.” …..Proverbs 4:23. The word heart is mentioned some eight hundred times in the… Old Testament, and more than two hundred times it refers to the thought life. The heart in the Bible refers to the total MIND: the intellect, the will, and the emotions. And that’s the “mind” we need to guard with all diligence, and daily commit and trust to God. For “what the mind dwells on the body acts on.” If you don’t agree with this, just think how temptation works.
God lives in our heart, but so does sin and Satan. Both lay claim to our heart. Both want to be master of our heart. Both want the allegiance of our heart.The two cannot coexist. This means that our heart “mind” is a battleground that Satan wants to be master of.
As a Christian we give our heart to God. We get down on our knees before God and give Him our love and we give it to Him alone. So let me ask you: who or what does your heart belong to? Does it belong to pornography, gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, heroes of this world….? Who or what does your heart belong to? You need to recognize and avoid the situations that are most tempting to you. If you struggle with lust, avoid anything that tempts you to lust. If you struggle with pornography, keep away from stores that sell it, and put a blocking program on your computer and TV. Steer clear of situations where you will be alone in an intimate atmosphere with someone who is not your spouse.If your struggle is with alcohol or drugs, refuse to allow them into your house under any circumstances. Avoid-avoid-avoid-avoid!!
To “guard your heart” your heart needs to belong to God. You need a heart that’s right with God, that is full of Christ, and that is led by the Spirit. Christ has to take hold of your heart. The Holy Spirit needs to transform your heart into a vessel of God. You see, it is only when your heart is full of Christ that you have the strength to guard your heart. Our heart “is the wellspring of life.” Well, Jesus is the water of life that you need to have bubbling up in your heart.
Have you trusted Him as Savior and accepted Him as Lord? Are you walking in step with the Spirit? If you are, then you are guarding your heart.Your heart is precious. Your heart is under attack. So, “guard your heart.”
“Dear God, please help me to guard my heart and mind with all diligence … and keep my thoughts focused on things that are ‘true, pure, and of good report.’ In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
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