Lessons from Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:23-27 (Amplified Bible)

"Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil."

 

Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.

The heart refers to the mind, will, and emotions (i.e. the “soulish” realm).

We are made up of three parts:

Body- physical being-what we can sense with touch, sight, etc.;

Soul- that part of us that deals with the mind, will and emotions-how we feel; and

Spirit- that part of us that is God-breathed and yearns to know God.)

Protect your mind, will, and emotions.

 What we feed our mind affects every part of our life. Garbage in = garbage out.

 Your attitude affects every part of your life. Attitude affects Altitude.

Matthew 12:34-“…Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks…”

Luke 6:45-“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things."

Life can be tough and unless we can keep ourselves encouraged, we can allow ourselves to get down and discouraged. (Work hard – Play hard; Work harder – Pray harder)

Remember, even David had to encourage himself in the Lord. (1 Samuel 30:6b)

We have to stay positive by surrounding ourselves with family, friends and colleagues that can be our “Amen corner.”

Do you have a prayer partner?

 Are you praying for your family, business, and church?

If not, why not.  You don't have because you haven’t asked (Matthew 7:7-8; James 4:2b)

 
Remove dishonesty from your mouth. Put perverse [crooked] speech far away from your lips.

Always speak the WHOLE truth.

 Speak positive things.

Always maintain your integrity and honesty in your dealings.

 

Let your eyes look straight ahead and your sight be focused in front of you.

Focus on the goal

 

Don’t be distracted from it

 

 

Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be established.

Watch what you are doing

 

Discipline and pattern your life.

 

Do not turn to the right or to the left. Walk away from evil.

Stay focused

 

Beware of danger