In the biblical context, the concept of being "guarded" encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It reflects the protective measures taken by individuals, communities, and God Himself to ensure safety, maintain purity, and uphold righteousness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of being guarded often relates to physical protection and the safeguarding of sacred spaces. For instance, the Garden of Eden was guarded by cherubim after Adam and Eve's expulsion to prevent them from accessing the Tree of Life (Genesis 3:24: "So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim on the east side of the Garden of Eden, along with a whirling sword of flame to guard the way to the tree of life"). This act of guarding signifies the divine protection of holy places and the boundaries set by God.

The Israelites were also instructed to guard the commandments and statutes given by God. In Deuteronomy 4:9, Moses exhorts the people, "Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren." Here, guarding is associated with vigilance in maintaining the covenant relationship with God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being guarded extends to spiritual vigilance and the protection of one's faith. The Apostle Paul frequently uses military metaphors to describe the Christian life, emphasizing the need for spiritual armor and alertness. In Philippians 4:7, Paul writes, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the protective role of divine peace in safeguarding believers' inner lives against anxiety and spiritual turmoil.

Furthermore, believers are called to guard the truth of the Gospel. In 2 Timothy 1:14, Paul instructs Timothy, "Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." This charge underscores the responsibility of Christians to preserve the integrity of the faith and to remain steadfast in the face of false teachings.

Guardianship by God

Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as the ultimate guardian of His people. Psalm 121:7-8 declares, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme, affirming God's role as a vigilant and faithful protector.

Human Responsibility

While God provides ultimate protection, individuals are also called to exercise personal responsibility in guarding their hearts and lives. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and integrity, recognizing that the condition of the heart influences one's entire being.

In summary, the biblical concept of being "guarded" encompasses both divine protection and human responsibility. It involves the safeguarding of physical and spiritual realms, the preservation of truth, and the vigilance required to maintain a faithful relationship with God.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Guard.

2. (a.) Cautious; wary; circumspect; as, he was guarded in his expressions; framed or uttered with caution; as, his expressions were guarded.

5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch
... Word Origin from a root phulak- Definition to guard, watch NASB Word Usage abstain
(1), guard (8), guarded (1), guarding (1), guards (1), keep (5), keeping (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5442.htm - 9k

4436. puthon -- Python, a mythical serpent slain by Apollo ...
... poo'-thone) Short Definition: a divining spirit Definition: a divining spirit, Python,
called after the Pythian serpent said to have guarded the oracle at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4436.htm - 6k

5431. saan -- to tread, tramp
... warrior. Word Origin denominative verb from seon Definition to tread, tramp
NASB Word Usage booted warrior (1), guarded (1). warrior. ...
/hebrew/5431.htm - 6k

8109. shemurah -- eyelid
... waking. Feminine of passive participle of shamar; something guarded, ie An eye-lid --
waking. see HEBREW shamar. 8108, 8109. shemurah. 8110 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8109.htm - 6k

8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... 1), did (1), diligently keep (1), doorkeeper* (1), doorkeepers* (4), gatekeepers*
(1), give heed (2), giving heed (1), guard (20), guarded (7), guards (4 ...
/hebrew/8104.htm - 7k

5892. iyr -- excitement
... Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; from uwr a city
(a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere ...
/hebrew/5892.htm - 5k

8114. Shemaryah -- "Yah has kept," three Israelites
... Shamariah, Shemariah. Or Shmaryahuw {shem-ar-yaw'-hoo}; from shamar and Yahh; Jah
has guarded; Shemarjah, the name of four Israelites -- Shamariah, Shemariah. ...
/hebrew/8114.htm - 6k

Whether Men are Guarded by the Angels?
... OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE GOOD ANGELS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether men are guarded
by the angels? ... Therefore man is not guarded by an angel. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are guarded by.htm

Whether Each Man is Guarded by an Angel?
... OF THE GUARDIANSHIP OF THE GOOD ANGELS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether each man
is guarded by an angel? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether each man is guarded.htm

Augustin Himself. Two Methods Whereby Sins, Like Diseases, are ...
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 80 [LXVII.]"Augustin Himself.
Two Methods Whereby Sins, Like Diseases, are Guarded Against. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 80 lxvii augustin himself two.htm

Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded ...
... CHAPTER XV. HEAVENLY CONTEMPLATION ASSISTED BY SENSIBLE OBJECTS, AND GUARDED
AGAINST A TREACHEROUS HEART. It is difficult to maintain ...
/.../the saints everlasting rest/chapter xv heavenly contemplation assisted.htm

By, Through, Unto
... The Revised Version substitutes 'guarded' for 'kept,' and the alteration, though
slight, is important, for it not only more accurately preserves the meaning of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/by through unto.htm

How Antony Made Herod and Phasaelus Tetrarchs, after they had Been ...
... Now those that came guarded both the temple and the city, excepting what belonged
to the palace, which Herod guarded with a few of his soldiers; and Phasaelus ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how antony made.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... These my brethren hated me, and the Lord loved me: they wished to slay me, and the
God of my fathers guarded me: they let me down into a pit, and the Most High ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

How Jonathan Took the Government after his Brother Judas; And
... rest. Moreover, he took the sons of the principal Jews as pledges, and shut
them up in the citadel, and in that manner guarded it. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how jonathan took.htm

First Latin Form.
... the living God, O blessed mother, [2636] O queen of all saints, and blessed above
all women, before thou carriedst me in thy womb, I always guarded thee, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the passing of mary/first latin form.htm

Revelation of Esdras.
... an angel? and was not his life guarded by the cherubim to endless ages?
and how was he deceived who was guarded by angels? for Thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of esdras/revelation of esdras.htm

Guarded (27 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Guard. 2. (a.) Cautious; wary; circumspect; as, he was guarded in his
expressions; framed or uttered with caution; as, his expressions were guarded. ...
/g/guarded.htm - 14k

Ward (27 Occurrences)
... custody. 4. (n.) A guarding or defensive motion or position, as in fencing;
guard. 5. (n.) One who, or that which, is guarded. 6 ...
/w/ward.htm - 19k

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... For although he was a "bound prisoner," his wrist fastened by an iron chain, day
and night, to the soldier who guarded him, he was able to "preach the kingdom ...
/c/caesar's.htm - 18k

Guard (185 Occurrences)
... 1. Pretorium in Philippians-Usual View: It has been usual to connect the words,
"the soldier that guarded him," Acts 28:16, with this statement in Philippians 1 ...
/g/guard.htm - 55k

Orders (736 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:64 So give orders for the sepulchre to be securely guarded till the third
day, for fear his disciples should come by night and steal the body, and ...
/o/orders.htm - 35k

Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
... (2.) A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded
the southern gate (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21; 26:4, 8, 15). ...
/o/obed-edom.htm - 15k

Obededom (15 Occurrences)
... (2.) A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded
the southern gate (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21; 26:4, 8, 15). ...
/o/obededom.htm - 14k

Joppa (14 Occurrences)
... 1. Ancient Notices: "The gate of Joppa" is mentioned in the Tell el-Amarna Letters
(214, 32 f; compare 178, 20), as guarded by an Egyptian officer for ...
/j/joppa.htm - 17k

Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
... Here Naboth was stoned to death (1 Kings 21:13). Jezreel, Tower of. One of the turrets
which guarded the entrance to the city (2 Kings 9:17). Jezreel, Valley of ...
/j/jezreel.htm - 27k

Library
... The doorway was guarded on either side by figures of Ea, the god of culture
and the inventor of letters, in his robe of fishskin. ...
/l/library.htm - 16k

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Guarded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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