Topical Bible: The Heart: should be Kept With Diligence

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The heart, in biblical terms, often refers to the inner being of a person, encompassing the mind, will, emotions, and conscience. It is the seat of one's moral and spiritual life, and its condition is of utmost importance in the biblical narrative. The heart is frequently mentioned in Scripture as the source of both good and evil actions, and thus, it must be guarded with the utmost care and diligence.

Biblical Exhortation to Guard the Heart

Proverbs 4:23 provides a foundational exhortation regarding the heart: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the heart's central role in determining the course of one's life. The imagery of "springs of life" suggests that the heart is the wellspring from which all thoughts, words, and actions originate. Therefore, guarding the heart is not a passive activity but requires active, vigilant effort.

The Heart's Inclination and Deception

The Bible acknowledges the natural inclination of the human heart towards sin. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse highlights the inherent deceitfulness and complexity of the heart, suggesting that without divine intervention, it is prone to lead individuals astray. The heart's deceptive nature necessitates a diligent watchfulness to ensure it aligns with God's will.

Transformation and Renewal of the Heart

Scripture emphasizes the need for a transformed heart, one that is renewed by the Spirit of God. Ezekiel 36:26 promises, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This transformation is essential for living a life that pleases God, as it involves a fundamental change in one's desires and inclinations.

The New Testament further elaborates on this transformation through the work of Christ. In Romans 12:2 , believers are urged, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The renewal of the mind is intrinsically linked to the condition of the heart, as both are involved in the process of sanctification.

The Heart's Role in Worship and Obedience

A heart that is kept with diligence is one that is fully devoted to God, manifesting in sincere worship and obedience. Jesus highlights the importance of the heart in worship in Matthew 15:8-9 , quoting Isaiah: "These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men." True worship arises from a heart that is near to God, not merely from external rituals or traditions.

Moreover, obedience to God's commandments is a reflection of a heart aligned with His purposes. In John 14:15 , Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Love for God, rooted in the heart, naturally results in a life of obedience and faithfulness.

Practical Steps to Guard the Heart

Guarding the heart involves several practical steps, as outlined in Scripture. Regular engagement with God's Word is crucial, as it serves as a guide and corrective measure for the heart. Psalm 119:11 declares, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." The internalization of Scripture helps to align the heart with God's truth.

Prayer is another vital practice in guarding the heart. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, believers invite God's peace to protect and guide their hearts.

Finally, fellowship with other believers provides accountability and encouragement in the pursuit of a guarded heart. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Community support is essential in maintaining a heart that is steadfast and diligent in its devotion to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Diligence.
... every place whereon the soles of their feet should tread should be theirs ... Many a
heart has been robbed of the love of God because it was not kept by diligence ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/diligence.htm

Secondly, to Assign Some Reasons Why Christians must Make this the ...
... fed every day; a gracious heart, diligently kept, feeds many ... If I should count them,
they are more in ... still with thee." And as the gracious heart nourishes them ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/secondly to assign some reasons.htm

Keeping and Kept
... so trusts will be safely guarded, and only such a heart will be ... are to keep our hearts
with all diligence, we must be 'kept by the ... Though all should forsake Thee ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/keeping and kept.htm

Another Season,
... wherein the heart must be kept with all diligence, is ... the Gospel's, spare no diligence
to keep your heart. ... you could never endure that his should be exposed to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xi another season.htm

How to Keep the Heart
... And the promise saith that it shall be kept"kept by "the ... arises the second necessity
that we should be doubly cautious in keeping the heart with all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/how to keep the heart.htm

The Last Season
... against being cast away himself: he kept his heart ... to their quickening and comforting
ejects, should make so light and transient an impression on your heart. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

The Sixth Season
... requiring this diligence in keeping the heart, is the ... is this: How may the heart
be kept from distractions by ... that every thought of the heart should be brought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

The Great Reservoir
... Now, no one likes that. The reservoir should be kept pure and clean ... We must keep
our hearts pure; for if the heart be not pure, the life can not be pure. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the great reservoir.htm

The Great Reservoir
... Now no one likes that. The reservoir should be kept pure and clean; and ... We must keep
our hearts pure; for if the heart be not pure the life can not be pure. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the great reservoir.htm

The Fourth Season,
... But, my brethren, these things ought not so to be; saints should be of a more elevated
spirit; so was David when his heart was kept in a good frame ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm