Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
Along my life’s journey I have many times been led astray by my heart which, evidence suggests, has a mind and will of its own. Prone to wander, my heart will easily lead me astray if I am not careful:
- Enticing relationships that spiral life into chaos
- Unnecessary acquisitions that end up acquiring me
- “Sure things” that sure leave me on the short end of the deal
- Frivolous pursuits which create fruitless waste of time and life
- Treasure hunts that lead me far astray and leave me empty handed
Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I have discovered that when my heart leads me astray it is because my spirit is at that moment treasuring foolish things. When my spirit is focused on following Jesus, it is easier to keep my heart in step.
I was reminded of the lyrics of this Dylan tune this morning:
Heart of mine so malicious and so full of guile
Give you an inch and you’ll take a mile
Don’t let yourself fall
Don’t let yourself stumble
If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime
Heart of mine
–Heart of Mine lyrics by Bob Dylan (1982) from the album “Shot of Love“)
Related articles
- A New Heart (hemakesmefree.wordpress.com)
- We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (richardangulo.wordpress.com)
- For All Hearts & For Mine…(I Pray) (debirules.wordpress.com)
- Playing Fast & Loose with the “God Told Me” Card (tomvanderwell.wordpress.com)