Today’s Blog: A Mind of Its Own?
TODAY’S PROVERB: Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart in the right way. Proverbs 23:19, TLV
I love the phrase, “. . . guide your heart in the right way.” Our heart can have a “mind” of its own, can’t it? Driven by emotion and whim, it can be double-minded when left on its own. Fickle.
The Bible is filled with warnings against being double-minded:
- “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick by one and look down on the other . . .” Matthew 6:24, TLV
- “You adulteresses! [Yikes!] Don’t you know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD.” James (Jacob) 4:4, TLV
- “So when I was planning to do this, I didn’t do so lightly, did I? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh — so it might be with me ‘Yes, yes’ and ‘No, no’ at the same time?” 1 Corinthians 1:17, TLV
Train it
How do we keep our heart from fickle changes? We train it. Discipline it. Keep it in line.
I used to walk with a group of ladies from our neighborhood in the evening. Over the years, I’ve learned that repetition of exercises builds my strength and stamina. This training submits my flesh to better health.
I’ve also learned how quickly I can talk myself out of exercising, even a walk around the block. And, I’ve also learned how quickly I will lose ground with my health. Which, true be told, is where I am right now.
If I’m not focused on this journey, it doesn’t take much to distract me from guiding my heart in the wise way. To talk myself out of being in the Word, praying, and reaching out to others. Instead, allowing the day to get away from me by piddling around. Allowing distractions to pull me away from my priorities.
Guiding our hearts with GOD’s word and delving into His wisdom will always lead us in the right way. Focusing our hearts on what is good for us, and putting aside what distracts us will also keep us spiritually healthy, and that’s where we want to be, right?
May we guide our hearts, my friends.
Proverbs 23:19 Tree of Life Version – TLV, #tlvbible, #tlvproverbs
