The word "heart" is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible, and in nearly half of those occurrences, it's related to our thought life, emotions, and the core of who we are. The heart represents our inner being—the wellspring of our lives—and it’s crucial that we guard it.

Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” This verse highlights the truth that what we think, feel, and allow into our hearts defines us. But the Bible also warns us of the dangers our hearts can fall into if we don’t guard them carefully. We’re warned against:

• A double heart (Psalm 12:2)

• A hard heart (Proverbs 28:14)

• A proud heart (Proverbs 21:4)

• An unbelieving heart (Hebrews 3:12)

• A cold heart (Matthew 24:12)

• An unclean heart (Psalm 51:10)

So, how do we guard our hearts? In Proverbs 4:23-27, three main areas stand out: your lips, your eyes, and your feet. Let's explore how protecting these areas helps safeguard your heart.

Guard Your Lips

Proverbs reminds us that “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Your words reveal what’s going on inside your heart. The things we speak often reflect the thoughts and beliefs we hold. This is why it’s important to be mindful of what we allow ourselves to say—our words have power, and they can influence what we believe.

In a previous series, we talked about the importance of speaking your destiny, and how the words we use shape our reality. When we guard our speech, we are also guarding our minds. The words we speak out of habit eventually form our beliefs. If you didn’t believe something, you wouldn’t speak it. So, controlling what you speak can help control what you allow yourself to believe.

Guard Your Eyes

Your outlook determines your outcome. The Bible is filled with stories of people who thrived or stumbled based on where they set their eyes. Abraham walked by faith, always looking for where God was leading. Lot, on the other hand, looked to the natural world around him, and it nearly led to his destruction.

The key here is focus. When Peter walked on water, his eyes were fixed on Jesus, and he did the impossible. But the moment he looked away, fear took over, and he began to sink. The same principle applies to us today. If we keep our eyes on God, we find ourselves in the middle of His plan. But when we focus on the world, fear, doubt, and sin can creep in.

Guard Your Feet

Proverbs 4:26 advises, “Mark out a straight path for your feet.” This suggests that walking in faith requires planning and purpose. One of the greatest strategies in overcoming temptation is knowing where you are going before you even take the first step.

When I counsel people dealing with sin in their lives, I always remind them to know their exit strategy before they find themselves in tempting situations. If you’ve already made a plan with God, temptation won’t catch you by surprise. You’ll be prepared, aware, and ready to stand firm in faith.

Your walk with God must be intentional. As you plan your steps and walk in obedience, you are actively guarding your heart from straying into sin.

Final Thoughts

Guarding your heart is not a passive act; it requires daily awareness of what you’re speaking, what you’re focusing on, and where you’re walking. The heart is the source of life, and what flows out of it will shape the course of your life. Be mindful of what you let in, and intentionally protect it by aligning your words, vision, and steps with God’s will.

As you guard your heart, you are positioning yourself to experience the fullness of life that God has promised. Let your lips speak life, your eyes stay fixed on Him, and your feet walk in faith.