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KEEP THY HEART

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 10, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 32, No. 20.

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KEEP THY HEART.

By John Matteson

“Keep thy heart above all keeping (margin); for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. iv, 23. To keep our hearts clear, or in other words, to cultivate and preserve purity of mind, is the first and most important of all Christian duties. All that we do or say originates in the mind; therefore, if the mind is mostly occupied with holy and heavenly things, the conversation will also be spiritual and heavenly. And if the mind is deeply interested in the pure life and holy example of Jesus, engaged in the study of overcoming, and final victory, then our works will also be corresponding. We could never speak a wrong word, nor commit an unholy deed, if the mind had not previously been exercised in that direction. Often we determine to be on our guard against evil; but very often we watch too late, and try to resist in word and deed; whereas, the beginning of the evil in the mind was not resisted. Then, if the lust has already conceived in the heart, it is very difficult to overcome. The reason why it is so difficult and impossible for many to overcome, is a secret desire, deep down in the heart, after those things which are wrong before God. There is a tampering with the enemy, a strong desire to have our own way in this or that one thing. My brethren, let us search our hearts; and when the Lord makes known to us things that are wrong, let us begin, as soon as possible, to keep the heart above all keeping; to cleanse the fountain, to guard against the beginning of evil. If we go on in the wrong, the second death is our portion; we go down to perdition. That is a hard road. It ends with terror, and brings the loss of an eternal weight of glory. O my soul! wilt thou consent to go this way? No, no. My soul, be on thy guard. Resist the Devil in the name of Jesus. Create within me, O God, a clean heart. Help me to keep the heart above all keeping. Then hast thou promised that the pure in heart shall see God.”
JOHN MATTESON.