Face With Verses on Ears, Eyes and MouthBible World
4:23Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
The heart is the fountain from which life, actions, conduct and character flow, and inward thoughts and desires reveal what a person truly is before God who looks on the heart rather than outward appearance. To keep it with all diligence is to guard it with utmost care by unceasing watchfulness and prayer, shutting out temptation, guarding thoughts, and keeping the barriers God has provided. It is kept only when God's Word is brought into the soul and rules there, cherished, studied, treasured and practiced through the Holy Spirit's power. Such keeping requires renewal by divine grace, for reformation must begin within where the principles of life proceed, and what Christ changes within is worked out into outward righteousness. The life that flows from a kept heart is seen in words and conduct, for a guarded heart in tune through Christ pours forth gracious words and bears witness in zeal and faithfulness in home, neighborhood and church.
Heart Source of Life
The heart is the fountain and source from which life proceeds and from which its issues flow, and therefore it must be guarded with care and with full diligence. A person's life, actions, conduct and character flow from the heart, and thoughts shape character, so purity of life requires the heart to be renewed by God's grace. Secret desires, purposes and inward principles reveal what a person is and reveal the character and life record before God, who sees the heart and judges the heart rather than judging by outward appearance. A heart that sees and senses God's existence and His reward for those who diligently seek Him can recognize the value of the human soul, and a clean heart and right spirit sought through daily conversion and earnest communion with God shape the life that is revealed in conduct. When Christ's Spirit abides in the heart by faith and everything opposed to Christ is expelled, pleasant words can be spoken even under temptation, and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, long for purity of heart, and desire fellowship with the Spirit of God guard the heart by praying and watching unto prayer and by seeking strength from God to keep it.
What comes from the heart leads to life or to death, so guarding it with the utmost and greatest care is essential to faithful conduct and work. The heart is the citadel of the person, deciding whether the outcome is life or death, and it can be left unguarded when a person stops watching and praying. As the condition of the physical heart affects the whole body, so the condition of the spiritual heart affects the whole life, determining the character formed in this life and whether eternal destiny is acceptance or rejection by God. Until the heart is purified a person is unfit to share in the fellowship of the saints, for a purified heart set on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God proves Christ dwells within and truth rules, with the word of God believed and obeyed. An unpurified heart proves Christ absent and truth absent, its place taken by sin, deception and falsehood, with the word of God unbelieved and disobeyed, and God as searcher of hearts knows those lingering in sin and sees the most secret things of every life, including flattering and infatuating words spoken to deceive and destroy souls, by which Satan works through human agents who will meet those deeds in the Judgment. Corruption develops gradually as repeated attention to evil changes what once seemed hateful into something pleasing, but constant resistance to the carnal mind and God's refining grace help direct the mind toward pure and holy things.
The household is the heart of the community, the church and the nation, from which the issues of life flow into wider life. Therefore society's well-being, the church's success and the nation's prosperity depend on the influences of home life.
The command to keep the heart was spoken by the Lord Jesus, to whom human beings belong by creation and by redemption and who knows all the mysteries of the human heart. The heart is known by the words spoken, so a fragrant life shows itself in fragrant words from the lips. For spiritual music the heart must be in tune by learning its lesson from Christ, and then spoken words testify that the soul is in harmony with God, pouring forth gratitude offerings of love and faith in thanksgiving, with gracious notes of melody in which penitence, faith, love, joy and hope vibrate in unison, and the whole soul becomes a consecrated temple sounding praise to the One who calls out of darkness into marvelous light.
Keeping Heart With Diligence
The heart must be guarded with all diligence and the utmost care, because life and conduct flow from it as from a fountain and citadel, and this guarding is done by unceasing watchfulness and prayer, by watching the signs of the times so no unguarded place gives advantage, and by constant resistance to the carnal mind under God's refining grace to turn the mind to pure and holy things. Neglect leaves the heart morally weak and open to self-directed desire, worldly attraction and schemes for gain, while corruption grows gradually as repeated attention to evil makes what was once hateful become pleasing, so devotion, meditation, secret and public prayer, personal and practical piety, spiritual-mindedness and active effort as well as prayer are required, with examination of personal weakness and resistance to self-confidence, especially amid the dangers and temptations of the last days when Satan works to corrupt and destroy and yielding stains the soul and wrecks the life's example unless purged by repentance and atonement. Keeping the heart in heaven by thoughts centered on God and heavenly things gives vigor to character and life to daily duties, for devotional exercise increases grace and spiritual strength as physical exercise strengthens the body, and dwelling on divine greatness, mercy, goodness, love and character makes the heart devoted and shapes words that refresh and transform others.
Guarding the heart means guarding thoughts, shutting out temptation and closing the door to it, keeping one's own counsel, telling no secret to unbelievers and sharing nothing that disparages God's people, and keeping up the barriers and safeguards provided for safety, doing all work as in the sight of the divine Watcher with patient expectation of success through grace. What comes from the heart leads to life or to death, so this diligent keeping decides life or death and is essential to faithful conduct and work.
The heart is kept only when God's Word is brought into the soul and rules there, attended to, kept before the eyes and in the midst of the heart as life and health, cherished, studied, treasured, practiced and abided in through the Holy Spirit's power. Bible truth thus enthroned sanctifies, purifies and makes holy, turning the heart into a fountain from which the issues of life flow, and Scripture so received serves as a sufficient rule for faith and practice that gives knowledge to use every ability well, teaches the duties attached to those abilities, and guides obedience, for individual souls and eternal realities are at stake. Only truth received in the heart, woven into character and producing obedience, profits, enlightens and makes partakers of pure and undefiled religion, rather than mere outward knowledge.
Keeping the heart is done with a single eye to God's glory and a single persistent purpose that leaves self and the preferences of others out of the question, with great simplicity in seeking wisdom, putting away a froward mouth and perverse lips, letting the eyes look straight on, and pondering the path of the feet so the feet do not slide and all ways are established on the shining path of the just that shines more and more unto the perfect day. Such simple single purpose toward God protects from selfish aims, keeps the course steady, and is the lawful striving for perfection of character.
Keeping the heart requires careful self-examination, because character and conduct flow from it, and this means disciplining feelings and affections under enlightened reason and a sensitive conscience, governing words and actions, watching the tongue, thoughts and motives while looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith. The Spirit's presence produces kindness, patience, tenderness and courtesy, while harshness, selfishness, grumbling and self-sufficiency call for examination, for neglect lets selfishness take hold and make self the center so others' needs are overlooked and judgment is blinded. For ministers this watchfulness through meditation, prayer and seeking pardon and strength guards against dishonoring truth by word or act and gives preaching influence that leads others toward truth, and for all, eternal life depends not on words or profession but on earnest works and a well-built character following the divine pattern with a penitent sensitive heart alert to do good.
Guarding the heart means attending to one's own inner life rather than criticizing and condemning others, exercising keen sanctified perception not to find fault but to discern the signs of the times. One who assumes the judge's role over a brother and admits a critical spirit shows Christ is not enthroned within and drives God's Spirit away, while neglecting the heart to seek others' defects leaves the inner life uncultivated. Such diligence is urgent lest faith make shipwreck, for even those once firm can grow careless about spiritual welfare and yield without opposition to well-laid plots, and youth and older ones alike face ensnaring, especially in the cities.
Keeping the heart calls for diligent daily reform, resisting unholy habits and selfish desires through Jesus' name and power day by day. To this daily effort belongs the promise that nothing can separate the believer from God's love in Christ.
No professed Christian is exempt from watching the heart, which must be kept under constant watchfulness with the spiritual eye never taken from Christ as Pattern, ever looking to Him and saying be my Pattern. This keeping watches the enemy's stealthy approach, watches against old habits and natural inclinations and forces them back even a hundred times, watches thoughts and plans lest they become selfish and self-centered, watches and prays lest there be entrance into temptation, and watches over souls purchased with blood for opportunities to do them good. A kept heart keeps compassion and sympathy of brother toward brother, tenderness for the heritage, and first love, learned like sitting at the feet of Jesus choosing the better part that will never be taken away, joined to abounding work with hands and heart and whole being devoted through much kneeling in sincere prayer. Diligence is unceasing because one fiber of the root of selfishness remaining will spring up when least expected and defile many, and saving souls requires treating all differently, on some having compassion making a difference and others saving with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted.
Renewal by Christ Within
The heart must be renewed by divine grace, for virtue built apart from Christ cannot withstand temptation, and after receiving the heavenly gift believers continue toward perfection kept by God's power through faith. Reformation must begin in the heart because the principles of life proceed from it, and what Christ changes within is worked out through a converted intellect into outward righteousness both inwardly and outwardly. Change in theory alone leaves character unchanged, and outward lip service is not enough, so keeping means watching the self closely, refusing to stop halfway, pressing on to full perfection, putting away faulty traits, and making the inner work genuine and lasting. True temperance and reform never come by outward restriction, diet, pledges, circumstances, or working from outside inward, for God begins His work at the heart as the very seat of all difficulties, transforming it by grace, purifying the defiled soul, and implanting righteousness and peace and health so the person becomes complete in Him.
The heart must be kept as a temple holy to God by cleansing through the Spirit, purifying every room, quickening the conscience, and letting truth control thoughts and actions. The soul temple must be cleansed of pride and every evil occupant, because Jesus will not abide where pride exists, but if the door is open to Him He will come in, His presence will expel every unholy thought, and by faith sweet communion with God can be held to His glory in good works. Truth professed must be brought from the outer court into the inner sanctuary of the soul to sanctify, and God's law must be written and engraved within the heart by the Spirit. Knowing or assenting to truth only with the mind, or having commandments on stone, cannot by itself guide, enlighten or sanctify, but only when truth is accepted inwardly, rules in the soul, is woven into character and changes purposes and conduct does it profit, illuminate, produce true obedience, set affections on things above, and make partakers of the divine nature having escaped corruption through lust.
Keeping the heart requires genuine daily conversion bringing a new relation to God in which natural temper, natural passions and hereditary traits pass away and the person is renewed, converted and sanctified. A renewed heart stays renewed only by a constant supply of divine grace, faithful watchfulness, unceasing prayer barricading the heart, humbling the soul before God, simple trust and humility of mind, holding fast to God while God holds fast, and the salt of the Word daily applied. It requires understanding self to keep bearings, keeping the arm of resolution braced against temptation, watching old habits, guarding evil propensities, appetites, passions and the unruly tongue, cultivating devotion and earnest communion, seeking a clean heart and right spirit, and digging deep to lay the foundation sure on Christ, or the embankment breaks, the undercurrent of natural and cultivated tendencies sweeps away the safeguard, old objectionable traits assert sway again, and no one stays converted in sweetness and grace.
The heart must be kept open and given to God, opening the door to Jesus and to the sunshine of heaven in the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness, refusing a sad, morose, gloomy and despondent spirit until light shines in all chambers of mind and soul temple. As soon as a person consecrates himself, gives the heart, takes hold of strength and makes peace with Him, light and love flow in and make it a treasure-house of knowledge meant to hold and give out the precious things of God. When the Holy Spirit is received He becomes the wellspring of life within who responds to the call of God, planting righteousness, peace and health, so the life flowing out is like a spring or well of water rising into everlasting life in strength of principle and faithful reform. Cleansing comes through Christ, who died so people may live His life of purity, truth and righteousness and who teaches how to live, and it requires yielding the will to His command, resisting temptation as He resisted, praying for a clean heart and renewed right spirit, and putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness. Its evidence is loving righteousness and hating iniquity, with truth taking possession to conquer wrong and make room for the full Spirit to work victory, opening to the sweet influences of the Spirit instead of closing in selfishness, so practical religion breathes fragrance as a savour of life unto life.
Keeping the heart with all diligence means permitting the sweetness of Christ's grace and righteousness to fill the soul so His image is reflected in character and life. Although grace has been bestowed in unlimited degree and all unfaithfulness blotted out and all debts cancelled by the Substitute and Surety, without this diligent keeping the divine impression will be lost, the inheritance of grace will not remain, and the person will represent the adversary lifted up in self. What flows from the heart depends on who rules within, for when Jesus rules and reigns there and the peace freely given by God is given room and encouraged to rule, only life comes forth in peace and joy beyond understanding and in words with softening, subduing influence, and not in a flood of harsh words that causes the angels to cover their faces for sorrow.
Perils of Unguarded Heart
An unkept heart remains a dwelling for evil, filled with unholy thoughts, evil surmising, falsehood, uncontrolled passions, envy and jealousy that disorder every faculty and cannot enter heaven. Even secret faults never acted out, when cherished in thoughts, motives, purposes and hidden passions, eat away the very foundation of character. The soul temple must therefore be searched and purified throughout, cleansed of pride and every evil occupant, for pride kept within shuts out abiding presence and leaves truth only in the outer court instead of the inner sanctuary where it sanctifies.
To sleep and cease to watch is to let the enemy take possession of the house and throne of the heart so that he controls the whole being. Once firmly seated and enthroned there as in his stronghold, no human power can cast him out or dislodge him. Neglect opens the same door to selfishness, pride, vanity, ambition and love of display, until self becomes the center, judgment is blinded, and thoughts, affections and conduct overlook the needs of others. Then outward evils stir up inner pride and rebellion into confusion of one's own making, for which the person blames others for unchristian conduct.
A heart left unguarded cherishes envy and strife for supremacy along with defects of an unrenewed heart such as pride, vanity, ill temper and covetousness. Such cherished feelings cannot lead to peace and unity and love, but destroy the oneness prayed for among disciples as between the Father and the Son. Failure to guard in this way makes shipwreck of faith, for even those once firm in truth can grow careless about spiritual welfare and yield without opposition to well-laid plots. Youth and older ones alike face ensnaring, especially in the cities, so families should remove to more retired localities, while even ministers and those in responsibility can be caught unawares without vigilance and trust in the Lord amid the dangers and temptations of the last days.
Keeping the heart against such contamination requires God's keeping power added to human effort. This is especially urgent in work among the fallen and degraded, where danger of moral contamination is constant, so men and women unprepared to resist temptation and lacking sufficient strength of character should not place themselves in contact with its danger. When the barriers against sin are allowed to fall, sin damages character and spreads its harmful influence to others.
Words and Conduct Flow
The heart is known by the words spoken, so it must be guarded because life flows from it. The command was spoken by the Lord Jesus, to whom human beings belong by creation and by redemption, and who knows all the mysteries of the human heart. A fragrant life shows itself in fragrant words from the lips, for spiritual music requires the heart to be in tune by learning its lesson from Christ, and then spoken words testify that the soul is in harmony with God. A guarded heart pours forth gratitude offerings of love and faith in thanksgiving, with gracious notes of melody in which penitence, faith, love, joy and hope vibrate in unison, and the whole soul becomes a consecrated temple sounding praise to the One who calls out of darkness into marvelous light. When Christ's Spirit abides in the heart by faith and everything opposed to Christ is expelled, pleasant words can be spoken even under temptation.
When the heart is purified through obedience to the truth, selfish preferences, corrupt motives, partiality, hypocrisy and lovesick sentimentalism do not take root or develop. Strict guard over the heart keeps this evil from poisoning and corrupting institutions, while carelessness, favoritism, selfish thoughts and feelings, and foolish trifling talk create envy, jealousy and evil surmising. Frivolous thoughts, foolish talking, jesting, joking and trifling reveal weak character and grieve God's Spirit, and what is called fun and nonsense is a positive denial of Christ which no excuse of meaning no harm can excuse, so believers must be circumspect and sound in faith and sound in speech. What is sown will also be reaped, and foolish conversation makes God's angels ashamed and drives holy angels away. A heart with Christ's grace planted deep as an abiding principle bears different fruit in moral stamina, strength of purpose and solidity of character that influences others toward Jesus, and uses the short time remaining to gain Christlike character fitted for heaven that can receive Christ's welcome into His joy.
Inner thoughts and purposes shape the words and actions that affect others, and daily conduct leaves impressions that cannot simply be recalled. A reckless act can help set harmful influences in motion, while a good example strengthens others' good principles and enables them to pass that influence on. What is in the heart shapes the course and influence of life and comes out in speech and conduct.
The heart is the source from which a person's life flows: when the soul is thoroughly converted and Christ reigns within, its streams are pure and conduct bears witness to that inward change. When the heart is kept in love and faith, the life that flows from it is seen in zeal and faithfulness and bears fruit as a power for good in the home, neighborhood and church. Unless the heart is changed and Christ's transforming grace takes possession of the soul, a person cannot enter God's kingdom, for the heart is the source of life or death from which words and character flow.
The heart must be carefully guarded from doubt and unbelief and filled with goodness and love, because life flows out of it and what it holds shapes the course of life. A right heart is closed against doubt and unbelief and is joined to sanctified ears that hear rightly, sanctified eyes that see rightly, and a sanctified tongue that speaks rightly, for its condition affects what a person hears, sees and says. Keeping the heart in this way guards against rebellion and apostasy, stops discouragement, doubt, complaint, murmuring and disaffection from spreading to others, and produces faith, confidence, assurance, hope, joy in God, and diligent work for the upbuilding of His cause.
Keeping the heart means diligently strengthening the inner life by practicing the virtues of Christ and remembering His humiliation, mercy and long-suffering, so that no hurtful and bruising word is spoken against another person, especially souls under the stress of temptation in severe wrestling with Satan. Guarding the heart fully by a living, growing faith that works by love and purifies the soul, full of trust and confidence, brings peace and joy in believing and gladness of soul, with the mind sanctified and fed daily with the words of truth and righteousness, which gives health of body and mind. When Christ abides in the soul the words spoken are always wise and helpful, requiring asking for help from the divine source, living close to God, and being separated from all selfishness.
A minister's success depends on keeping and carefully watching his own heart through self-examination, meditation, prayer, and seeking God's pardon and strength, guarding against words and actions that dishonor the truth. A heart shaped by devotion and holiness gives preaching influence and leads others toward truth. Workers for God must begin with their own hearts because all life and influence flow from the heart, and a cleansed heart with Christ abiding continually within gives mind, tongue and utterance, so that the new creating, converting power of God received in the soul flows out in fitting words. Only then can workers reach souls through God, entreating, appealing, praying, hoping and holding on to souls while drawing with Christ Jesus, in solid oneness with one another.
Faithful Application in Life
Keeping the heart is keeping the inner life of thought and desire, and this begins with watch over the mind, especially care over what is read and heard, because improper reading corrupts the mind and exposes it to temptation. It means sanctifying the affections by unreserved surrender, loving God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and setting affection on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Reason and conscience must rule rather than blind impulse, affections must be controlled and not fixed on forbidden or unworthy objects, iniquity must be refused and God's plain prohibitions kept, and those sick in heart with unsanctified affection need healing from the great Physician and are unfit for employment in God's institutions while they indulge it. Samson's ruin warns of the danger, for he gave to passion the love and service due to God and sacrificed honor and conscience to a woman. It also means guarding where the affections are placed in society, not encouraging those who do not love or fear God to think their company is preferred and not finding enjoyment with those in whom love of God and of truth does not abide as a living principle. To place oneself on the enemy's ground amid conversation and conduct offensive to God forfeits the companionship of Jesus, for He cannot keep the soul that chooses that ground, and association with those who neither fear nor love God is right only when done kindly to win them to Jesus, since to love and choose their society and atmosphere corrupts and taints faith and, if they cannot be lifted up, brings detriment to spirituality.
Fathers and mothers must guard their own hearts and their children's hearts, for the heart is the citadel of the being and the enemy subtly seeks entrance to take possession of the whole person. The work of educating the household in God's fear begins within, with parents consecrating themselves to God and seeking through the Spirit's regenerating power a clean, renewed, subdued and contrite heart, because the heart shapes the life and conduct that influence children. They must faithfully instruct children, teach the child to receive truth in the heart and to recognize sin as an offense against God, and guard young hearts against evil, knowing each child's soul is purchased through Christ and God desires Christ to reign within the redeemed life. Neglect of children's spiritual needs leaves room for the enemy to take possession, and once he is firmly seated and enthroned on the heart no human power can cast him out. Children and youth themselves must guard with constant vigilance, not living to please self nor thirsting for praise, appreciation and honor, which would harm them if received, but hungering and thirsting for righteousness so they are not drawn away from God.
Guarding the heart governs money, for whoever has more than needed for frugal living and personal needs must acknowledge God as giver, seek wisdom and grace, and examine the heart rather than imagine new wants. The heart's affections decide whether means are used faithfully to help others and serve in the salvation of souls or become a snare through pride, ambition, waste and self-indulgence. When the heart trusts money to bring happiness apart from God, money rules like a tyrant and honor, truth, righteousness and justice are sacrificed, while loving God supremely keeps temporal things in their proper place. A guarded heart acknowledges God's claims by creation and redemption by returning the portion He has specified as His own, the tithe, His money to sustain His work, whereas an unguarded heart keeps the Lord's portion for self, deals dishonestly with God, and proves unfaithful in a stewardship for which all will give account when judged from the books of heaven according to treatment of God and fellow men. Riches entrusted by God are a constant test of character in this probationary time, and guarding by watching and praying keeps them from becoming master, for if His goods deceive those entrusted with them through the deceitfulness of riches and are allowed to conquer, Satan gains supremacy, the man serves mammon, and the soul is lost. The guarded heart therefore loves God supremely and neighbor as self, works righteousness, knows the value of money, refuses temptation to use means for self-indulgence and to leave God out of counsel, lest love of money become the root of all evil.
Keeping the heart means giving heavenly things first place, because eternal welfare depends on what claims attention, concentrating the mind on everlasting life and letting love for God take the place of love for the world. Vanity must be removed from the heart and life's circumstances ordered so they do not turn the mind from heaven, and then Christ's lessons plant seeds of truth within that yield abundant fruit unto eternal life. The heart is kept in heaven by cultivating meditation, devotion and thoughts centered on God and heavenly things, dwelling on His greatness, mercy, goodness, love and character until the heart is devoted to Him. Such devotional exercise gives vigor to Christian character and life to daily duties as physical exercise strengthens the body, and shapes words that refresh and transform others. The soul is kept spiritually strong as Christ dwells in the heart by faith, through constant communion with God trusting in the fullness of Christ's Word and receiving life, strength and renewal from Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Guarding the heart requires secret and public prayer, personal and practical piety, and spiritual-mindedness, for without these self-sufficiency and lukewarmness leave the heart open to evil thoughts, suspicion, contention and opposition to light and truth. It is done by a living, growing faith that works by love and purifies the soul, full of trust and confidence, with the mind sanctified and fed daily with the words of truth and righteousness, lived close to God and separated from all selfishness by asking help from the divine source. So kept, it brings peace and joy in believing and gladness of soul, health of body and mind, and words always wise and helpful when Christ abides within. All who name Christ must therefore watch and pray and guard the avenues of the soul with unceasing diligence, never becoming careless or looking upon sin with indifference. Satan is at work to corrupt and destroy and will succeed if given even the least advantage, and yielding brings the soul under his power, stains it with the corruptions of a degenerate age, and wrecks the life's example, so the camp needs purging through repentance, a sense of need of pardon, and atonement through the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour while wrongs can still be righted. Ministers and people alike must diligently keep hearts right with God, and the more important and responsible the work the greater the need for clean hearts, which God supplies by grace as the Holy Spirit works with earnest effort to form purity and love, unity among believers and growth in grace, changing beholders of Christ's character into His image.
Heeding the Holy Spirit's instruction keeps the heart from forgetting His teaching and returning to the natural inclinations of an unconsecrated mind, which shape the course of life. Welcoming the Spirit makes one wise unto salvation, with holy thoughts, heavenly affections and Christlike actions taking the place of impure thoughts, perverse feelings and rebellion. Keeping the heart is joined to diligence in common everyday duties, with personal piety cultivated rather than neglected for close study, physical labor united with study, and cooperation with God, making one dependable in trying emergencies as a diligent worker and vigilant watcher for the Lord. It includes earnest watchfulness over thoughts and motives while looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith, disciplining and watching the tongue and being alert to do good, for eternal life depends not on words or profession but on earnest works, and a well-built character with a penitent sensitive heart follows the divine pattern. Guarding begins at the beginning with heart work and not theory alone, asking for a clean heart which God answers by giving a new heart. It means making friendship with God the highest aim, coming near in silent communion with praise and pleading for a clear sense of divine things and for the warmth of His love, and staying closely connected to Him, and a heart so guarded brings unity amid diversity, shines as light, bears fruit as a branch of the True Vine, is fitted to minister, sings instead of complaining and rebelling, loses self in Christ, and grows in faith and holy trust in Jesus as a living reality. Every true servant must closely guard the citadel of the soul and enthrone God first, giving up every rival husband, wife, child or earthly thing that would steal affection and take the homage belonging to Him, for mere lip talk of truth does no good unless the heart is true and loyal in practice. Day by day each determines what the soul shall live upon by choosing to feed on the flesh and blood of the Son of God, which is His Word, rather than letting the future be piloted by influences opposed to truth to satisfy the wishes of the natural heart.
The heart is the fountain from which life, actions, conduct and character flow, and inward thoughts and desires reveal what a person truly is before God who looks on the heart rather than outward appearance. To keep it with all diligence is to guard it with utmost care by unceasing watchfulness and prayer, shutting out temptation, guarding thoughts, and keeping the barriers God has provided. It is kept only when God's Word is brought into the soul and rules there, cherished, studied, treasured and practiced through the Holy Spirit's power. Such keeping requires renewal by divine grace, for reformation must begin within where the principles of life proceed, and what Christ changes within is worked out into outward righteousness. The life that flows from a kept heart is seen in words and conduct, for a guarded heart in tune through Christ pours forth gracious words and bears witness in zeal and faithfulness in home, neighborhood and church.
Heart Source of Life
The heart is the fountain and source from which life proceeds and from which its issues flow, and therefore it must be guarded with care and with full diligence. A person's life, actions, conduct and character flow from the heart, and thoughts shape character, so purity of life requires the heart to be renewed by God's grace. Secret desires, purposes and inward principles reveal what a person is and reveal the character and life record before God, who sees the heart and judges the heart rather than judging by outward appearance. A heart that sees and senses God's existence and His reward for those who diligently seek Him can recognize the value of the human soul, and a clean heart and right spirit sought through daily conversion and earnest communion with God shape the life that is revealed in conduct. When Christ's Spirit abides in the heart by faith and everything opposed to Christ is expelled, pleasant words can be spoken even under temptation, and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, long for purity of heart, and desire fellowship with the Spirit of God guard the heart by praying and watching unto prayer and by seeking strength from God to keep it.
What comes from the heart leads to life or to death, so guarding it with the utmost and greatest care is essential to faithful conduct and work. The heart is the citadel of the person, deciding whether the outcome is life or death, and it can be left unguarded when a person stops watching and praying. As the condition of the physical heart affects the whole body, so the condition of the spiritual heart affects the whole life, determining the character formed in this life and whether eternal destiny is acceptance or rejection by God. Until the heart is purified a person is unfit to share in the fellowship of the saints, for a purified heart set on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God proves Christ dwells within and truth rules, with the word of God believed and obeyed. An unpurified heart proves Christ absent and truth absent, its place taken by sin, deception and falsehood, with the word of God unbelieved and disobeyed, and God as searcher of hearts knows those lingering in sin and sees the most secret things of every life, including flattering and infatuating words spoken to deceive and destroy souls, by which Satan works through human agents who will meet those deeds in the Judgment. Corruption develops gradually as repeated attention to evil changes what once seemed hateful into something pleasing, but constant resistance to the carnal mind and God's refining grace help direct the mind toward pure and holy things.
The household is the heart of the community, the church and the nation, from which the issues of life flow into wider life. Therefore society's well-being, the church's success and the nation's prosperity depend on the influences of home life.
The command to keep the heart was spoken by the Lord Jesus, to whom human beings belong by creation and by redemption and who knows all the mysteries of the human heart. The heart is known by the words spoken, so a fragrant life shows itself in fragrant words from the lips. For spiritual music the heart must be in tune by learning its lesson from Christ, and then spoken words testify that the soul is in harmony with God, pouring forth gratitude offerings of love and faith in thanksgiving, with gracious notes of melody in which penitence, faith, love, joy and hope vibrate in unison, and the whole soul becomes a consecrated temple sounding praise to the One who calls out of darkness into marvelous light.
Keeping Heart With Diligence
The heart must be guarded with all diligence and the utmost care, because life and conduct flow from it as from a fountain and citadel, and this guarding is done by unceasing watchfulness and prayer, by watching the signs of the times so no unguarded place gives advantage, and by constant resistance to the carnal mind under God's refining grace to turn the mind to pure and holy things. Neglect leaves the heart morally weak and open to self-directed desire, worldly attraction and schemes for gain, while corruption grows gradually as repeated attention to evil makes what was once hateful become pleasing, so devotion, meditation, secret and public prayer, personal and practical piety, spiritual-mindedness and active effort as well as prayer are required, with examination of personal weakness and resistance to self-confidence, especially amid the dangers and temptations of the last days when Satan works to corrupt and destroy and yielding stains the soul and wrecks the life's example unless purged by repentance and atonement. Keeping the heart in heaven by thoughts centered on God and heavenly things gives vigor to character and life to daily duties, for devotional exercise increases grace and spiritual strength as physical exercise strengthens the body, and dwelling on divine greatness, mercy, goodness, love and character makes the heart devoted and shapes words that refresh and transform others.
Guarding the heart means guarding thoughts, shutting out temptation and closing the door to it, keeping one's own counsel, telling no secret to unbelievers and sharing nothing that disparages God's people, and keeping up the barriers and safeguards provided for safety, doing all work as in the sight of the divine Watcher with patient expectation of success through grace. What comes from the heart leads to life or to death, so this diligent keeping decides life or death and is essential to faithful conduct and work.
The heart is kept only when God's Word is brought into the soul and rules there, attended to, kept before the eyes and in the midst of the heart as life and health, cherished, studied, treasured, practiced and abided in through the Holy Spirit's power. Bible truth thus enthroned sanctifies, purifies and makes holy, turning the heart into a fountain from which the issues of life flow, and Scripture so received serves as a sufficient rule for faith and practice that gives knowledge to use every ability well, teaches the duties attached to those abilities, and guides obedience, for individual souls and eternal realities are at stake. Only truth received in the heart, woven into character and producing obedience, profits, enlightens and makes partakers of pure and undefiled religion, rather than mere outward knowledge.
Keeping the heart is done with a single eye to God's glory and a single persistent purpose that leaves self and the preferences of others out of the question, with great simplicity in seeking wisdom, putting away a froward mouth and perverse lips, letting the eyes look straight on, and pondering the path of the feet so the feet do not slide and all ways are established on the shining path of the just that shines more and more unto the perfect day. Such simple single purpose toward God protects from selfish aims, keeps the course steady, and is the lawful striving for perfection of character.
Keeping the heart requires careful self-examination, because character and conduct flow from it, and this means disciplining feelings and affections under enlightened reason and a sensitive conscience, governing words and actions, watching the tongue, thoughts and motives while looking to Jesus as Author and Finisher of faith. The Spirit's presence produces kindness, patience, tenderness and courtesy, while harshness, selfishness, grumbling and self-sufficiency call for examination, for neglect lets selfishness take hold and make self the center so others' needs are overlooked and judgment is blinded. For ministers this watchfulness through meditation, prayer and seeking pardon and strength guards against dishonoring truth by word or act and gives preaching influence that leads others toward truth, and for all, eternal life depends not on words or profession but on earnest works and a well-built character following the divine pattern with a penitent sensitive heart alert to do good.
Guarding the heart means attending to one's own inner life rather than criticizing and condemning others, exercising keen sanctified perception not to find fault but to discern the signs of the times. One who assumes the judge's role over a brother and admits a critical spirit shows Christ is not enthroned within and drives God's Spirit away, while neglecting the heart to seek others' defects leaves the inner life uncultivated. Such diligence is urgent lest faith make shipwreck, for even those once firm can grow careless about spiritual welfare and yield without opposition to well-laid plots, and youth and older ones alike face ensnaring, especially in the cities.
Keeping the heart calls for diligent daily reform, resisting unholy habits and selfish desires through Jesus' name and power day by day. To this daily effort belongs the promise that nothing can separate the believer from God's love in Christ.
No professed Christian is exempt from watching the heart, which must be kept under constant watchfulness with the spiritual eye never taken from Christ as Pattern, ever looking to Him and saying be my Pattern. This keeping watches the enemy's stealthy approach, watches against old habits and natural inclinations and forces them back even a hundred times, watches thoughts and plans lest they become selfish and self-centered, watches and prays lest there be entrance into temptation, and watches over souls purchased with blood for opportunities to do them good. A kept heart keeps compassion and sympathy of brother toward brother, tenderness for the heritage, and first love, learned like sitting at the feet of Jesus choosing the better part that will never be taken away, joined to abounding work with hands and heart and whole being devoted through much kneeling in sincere prayer. Diligence is unceasing because one fiber of the root of selfishness remaining will spring up when least expected and defile many, and saving souls requires treating all differently, on some having compassion making a difference and others saving with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted.
Renewal by Christ Within
The heart must be renewed by divine grace, for virtue built apart from Christ cannot withstand temptation, and after receiving the heavenly gift believers continue toward perfection kept by God's power through faith. Reformation must begin in the heart because the principles of life proceed from it, and what Christ changes within is worked out through a converted intellect into outward righteousness both inwardly and outwardly. Change in theory alone leaves character unchanged, and outward lip service is not enough, so keeping means watching the self closely, refusing to stop halfway, pressing on to full perfection, putting away faulty traits, and making the inner work genuine and lasting. True temperance and reform never come by outward restriction, diet, pledges, circumstances, or working from outside inward, for God begins His work at the heart as the very seat of all difficulties, transforming it by grace, purifying the defiled soul, and implanting righteousness and peace and health so the person becomes complete in Him.
The heart must be kept as a temple holy to God by cleansing through the Spirit, purifying every room, quickening the conscience, and letting truth control thoughts and actions. The soul temple must be cleansed of pride and every evil occupant, because Jesus will not abide where pride exists, but if the door is open to Him He will come in, His presence will expel every unholy thought, and by faith sweet communion with God can be held to His glory in good works. Truth professed must be brought from the outer court into the inner sanctuary of the soul to sanctify, and God's law must be written and engraved within the heart by the Spirit. Knowing or assenting to truth only with the mind, or having commandments on stone, cannot by itself guide, enlighten or sanctify, but only when truth is accepted inwardly, rules in the soul, is woven into character and changes purposes and conduct does it profit, illuminate, produce true obedience, set affections on things above, and make partakers of the divine nature having escaped corruption through lust.
Keeping the heart requires genuine daily conversion bringing a new relation to God in which natural temper, natural passions and hereditary traits pass away and the person is renewed, converted and sanctified. A renewed heart stays renewed only by a constant supply of divine grace, faithful watchfulness, unceasing prayer barricading the heart, humbling the soul before God, simple trust and humility of mind, holding fast to God while God holds fast, and the salt of the Word daily applied. It requires understanding self to keep bearings, keeping the arm of resolution braced against temptation, watching old habits, guarding evil propensities, appetites, passions and the unruly tongue, cultivating devotion and earnest communion, seeking a clean heart and right spirit, and digging deep to lay the foundation sure on Christ, or the embankment breaks, the undercurrent of natural and cultivated tendencies sweeps away the safeguard, old objectionable traits assert sway again, and no one stays converted in sweetness and grace.
The heart must be kept open and given to God, opening the door to Jesus and to the sunshine of heaven in the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness, refusing a sad, morose, gloomy and despondent spirit until light shines in all chambers of mind and soul temple. As soon as a person consecrates himself, gives the heart, takes hold of strength and makes peace with Him, light and love flow in and make it a treasure-house of knowledge meant to hold and give out the precious things of God. When the Holy Spirit is received He becomes the wellspring of life within who responds to the call of God, planting righteousness, peace and health, so the life flowing out is like a spring or well of water rising into everlasting life in strength of principle and faithful reform. Cleansing comes through Christ, who died so people may live His life of purity, truth and righteousness and who teaches how to live, and it requires yielding the will to His command, resisting temptation as He resisted, praying for a clean heart and renewed right spirit, and putting on the new man created in righteousness and true holiness. Its evidence is loving righteousness and hating iniquity, with truth taking possession to conquer wrong and make room for the full Spirit to work victory, opening to the sweet influences of the Spirit instead of closing in selfishness, so practical religion breathes fragrance as a savour of life unto life.
Keeping the heart with all diligence means permitting the sweetness of Christ's grace and righteousness to fill the soul so His image is reflected in character and life. Although grace has been bestowed in unlimited degree and all unfaithfulness blotted out and all debts cancelled by the Substitute and Surety, without this diligent keeping the divine impression will be lost, the inheritance of grace will not remain, and the person will represent the adversary lifted up in self. What flows from the heart depends on who rules within, for when Jesus rules and reigns there and the peace freely given by God is given room and encouraged to rule, only life comes forth in peace and joy beyond understanding and in words with softening, subduing influence, and not in a flood of harsh words that causes the angels to cover their faces for sorrow.
Perils of Unguarded Heart
An unkept heart remains a dwelling for evil, filled with unholy thoughts, evil surmising, falsehood, uncontrolled passions, envy and jealousy that disorder every faculty and cannot enter heaven. Even secret faults never acted out, when cherished in thoughts, motives, purposes and hidden passions, eat away the very foundation of character. The soul temple must therefore be searched and purified throughout, cleansed of pride and every evil occupant, for pride kept within shuts out abiding presence and leaves truth only in the outer court instead of the inner sanctuary where it sanctifies.
To sleep and cease to watch is to let the enemy take possession of the house and throne of the heart so that he controls the whole being. Once firmly seated and enthroned there as in his stronghold, no human power can cast him out or dislodge him. Neglect opens the same door to selfishness, pride, vanity, ambition and love of display, until self becomes the center, judgment is blinded, and thoughts, affections and conduct overlook the needs of others. Then outward evils stir up inner pride and rebellion into confusion of one's own making, for which the person blames others for unchristian conduct.
A heart left unguarded cherishes envy and strife for supremacy along with defects of an unrenewed heart such as pride, vanity, ill temper and covetousness. Such cherished feelings cannot lead to peace and unity and love, but destroy the oneness prayed for among disciples as between the Father and the Son. Failure to guard in this way makes shipwreck of faith, for even those once firm in truth can grow careless about spiritual welfare and yield without opposition to well-laid plots. Youth and older ones alike face ensnaring, especially in the cities, so families should remove to more retired localities, while even ministers and those in responsibility can be caught unawares without vigilance and trust in the Lord amid the dangers and temptations of the last days.
Keeping the heart against such contamination requires God's keeping power added to human effort. This is especially urgent in work among the fallen and degraded, where danger of moral contamination is constant, so men and women unprepared to resist temptation and lacking sufficient strength of character should not place themselves in contact with its danger. When the barriers against sin are allowed to fall, sin damages character and spreads its harmful influence to others.
Words and Conduct Flow
The heart is known by the words spoken, so it must be guarded because life flows from it. The command was spoken by the Lord Jesus, to whom human beings belong by creation and by redemption, and who knows all the mysteries of the human heart. A fragrant life shows itself in fragrant words from the lips, for spiritual music requires the heart to be in tune by learning its lesson from Christ, and then spoken words testify that the soul is in harmony with God. A guarded heart pours forth gratitude offerings of love and faith in thanksgiving, with gracious notes of melody in which penitence, faith, love, joy and hope vibrate in unison, and the whole soul becomes a consecrated temple sounding praise to the One who calls out of darkness into marvelous light. When Christ's Spirit abides in the heart by faith and everything opposed to Christ is expelled, pleasant words can be spoken even under temptation.
When the heart is purified through obedience to the truth, selfish preferences, corrupt motives, partiality, hypocrisy and lovesick sentimentalism do not take root or develop. Strict guard over the heart keeps this evil from poisoning and corrupting institutions, while carelessness, favoritism, selfish thoughts and feelings, and foolish trifling talk create envy, jealousy and evil surmising. Frivolous thoughts, foolish talking, jesting, joking and trifling reveal weak character and grieve God's Spirit, and what is called fun and nonsense is a positive denial of Christ which no excuse of meaning no harm can excuse, so believers must be circumspect and sound in faith and sound in speech. What is sown will also be reaped, and foolish conversation makes God's angels ashamed and drives holy angels away. A heart with Christ's grace planted deep as an abiding principle bears different fruit in moral stamina, strength of purpose and solidity of character that influences others toward Jesus, and uses the short time remaining to gain Christlike character fitted for heaven that can receive Christ's welcome into His joy.
Inner thoughts and purposes shape the words and actions that affect others, and daily conduct leaves impressions that cannot simply be recalled. A reckless act can help set harmful influences in motion, while a good example strengthens others' good principles and enables them to pass that influence on. What is in the heart shapes the course and influence of life and comes out in speech and conduct.
The heart is the source from which a person's life flows: when the soul is thoroughly converted and Christ reigns within, its streams are pure and conduct bears witness to that inward change. When the heart is kept in love and faith, the life that flows from it is seen in zeal and faithfulness and bears fruit as a power for good in the home, neighborhood and church. Unless the heart is changed and Christ's transforming grace takes possession of the soul, a person cannot enter God's kingdom, for the heart is the source of life or death from which words and character flow.
The heart must be carefully guarded from doubt and unbelief and filled with goodness and love, because life flows out of it and what it holds shapes the course of life. A right heart is closed against doubt and unbelief and is joined to sanctified ears that hear rightly, sanctified eyes that see rightly, and a sanctified tongue that speaks rightly, for its condition affects what a person hears, sees and says. Keeping the heart in this way guards against rebellion and apostasy, stops discouragement, doubt, complaint, murmuring and disaffection from spreading to others, and produces faith, confidence, assurance, hope, joy in God, and diligent work for the upbuilding of His cause.
Keeping the heart means diligently strengthening the inner life by practicing the virtues of Christ and remembering His humiliation, mercy and long-suffering, so that no hurtful and bruising word is spoken against another person, especially souls under the stress of temptation in severe wrestling with Satan. Guarding the heart fully by a living, growing faith that works by love and purifies the soul, full of trust and confidence, brings peace and joy in believing and gladness of soul, with the mind sanctified and fed daily with the words of truth and righteousness, which gives health of body and mind. When Christ abides in the soul the words spoken are always wise and helpful, requiring asking for help from the divine source, living close to God, and being separated from all selfishness.
A minister's success depends on keeping and carefully watching his own heart through self-examination, meditation, prayer, and seeking God's pardon and strength, guarding against words and actions that dishonor the truth. A heart shaped by devotion and holiness gives preaching influence and leads others toward truth. Workers for God must begin with their own hearts because all life and influence flow from the heart, and a cleansed heart with Christ abiding continually within gives mind, tongue and utterance, so that the new creating, converting power of God received in the soul flows out in fitting words. Only then can workers reach souls through God, entreating, appealing, praying, hoping and holding on to souls while drawing with Christ Jesus, in solid oneness with one another.
Faithful Application in Life
Keeping the heart is keeping the inner life of thought and desire, and this begins with watch over the mind, especially care over what is read and heard, because improper reading corrupts the mind and exposes it to temptation. It means sanctifying the affections by unreserved surrender, loving God with all heart, soul, strength and mind and setting affection on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Reason and conscience must rule rather than blind impulse, affections must be controlled and not fixed on forbidden or unworthy objects, iniquity must be refused and God's plain prohibitions kept, and those sick in heart with unsanctified affection need healing from the great Physician and are unfit for employment in God's institutions while they indulge it. Samson's ruin warns of the danger, for he gave to passion the love and service due to God and sacrificed honor and conscience to a woman. It also means guarding where the affections are placed in society, not encouraging those who do not love or fear God to think their company is preferred and not finding enjoyment with those in whom love of God and of truth does not abide as a living principle. To place oneself on the enemy's ground amid conversation and conduct offensive to God forfeits the companionship of Jesus, for He cannot keep the soul that chooses that ground, and association with those who neither fear nor love God is right only when done kindly to win them to Jesus, since to love and choose their society and atmosphere corrupts and taints faith and, if they cannot be lifted up, brings detriment to spirituality.
Fathers and mothers must guard their own hearts and their children's hearts, for the heart is the citadel of the being and the enemy subtly seeks entrance to take possession of the whole person. The work of educating the household in God's fear begins within, with parents consecrating themselves to God and seeking through the Spirit's regenerating power a clean, renewed, subdued and contrite heart, because the heart shapes the life and conduct that influence children. They must faithfully instruct children, teach the child to receive truth in the heart and to recognize sin as an offense against God, and guard young hearts against evil, knowing each child's soul is purchased through Christ and God desires Christ to reign within the redeemed life. Neglect of children's spiritual needs leaves room for the enemy to take possession, and once he is firmly seated and enthroned on the heart no human power can cast him out. Children and youth themselves must guard with constant vigilance, not living to please self nor thirsting for praise, appreciation and honor, which would harm them if received, but hungering and thirsting for righteousness so they are not drawn away from God.
Guarding the heart governs money, for whoever has more than needed for frugal living and personal needs must acknowledge God as giver, seek wisdom and grace, and examine the heart rather than imagine new wants. The heart's affections decide whether means are used faithfully to help others and serve in the salvation of souls or become a snare through pride, ambition, waste and self-indulgence. When the heart trusts money to bring happiness apart from God, money rules like a tyrant and honor, truth, righteousness and justice are sacrificed, while loving God supremely keeps temporal things in their proper place. A guarded heart acknowledges God's claims by creation and redemption by returning the portion He has specified as His own, the tithe, His money to sustain His work, whereas an unguarded heart keeps the Lord's portion for self, deals dishonestly with God, and proves unfaithful in a stewardship for which all will give account when judged from the books of heaven according to treatment of God and fellow men. Riches entrusted by God are a constant test of character in this probationary time, and guarding by watching and praying keeps them from becoming master, for if His goods deceive those entrusted with them through the deceitfulness of riches and are allowed to conquer, Satan gains supremacy, the man serves mammon, and the soul is lost. The guarded heart therefore loves God supremely and neighbor as self, works righteousness, knows the value of money, refuses temptation to use means for self-indulgence and to leave God out of counsel, lest love of money become the root of all evil.
Keeping the heart means giving heavenly things first place, because eternal welfare depends on what claims attention, concentrating the mind on everlasting life and letting love for God take the place of love for the world. Vanity must be removed from the heart and life's circumstances ordered so they do not turn the mind from heaven, and then Christ's lessons plant seeds of truth within that yield abundant fruit unto eternal life. The heart is kept in heaven by cultivating meditation, devotion and thoughts centered on God and heavenly things, dwelling on His greatness, mercy, goodness, love and character until the heart is devoted to Him. Such devotional exercise gives vigor to Christian character and life to daily duties as physical exercise strengthens the body, and shapes words that refresh and transform others. The soul is kept spiritually strong as Christ dwells in the heart by faith, through constant communion with God trusting in the fullness of Christ's Word and receiving life, strength and renewal from Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Guarding the heart requires secret and public prayer, personal and practical piety, and spiritual-mindedness, for without these self-sufficiency and lukewarmness leave the heart open to evil thoughts, suspicion, contention and opposition to light and truth. It is done by a living, growing faith that works by love and purifies the soul, full of trust and confidence, with the mind sanctified and fed daily with the words of truth and righteousness, lived close to God and separated from all selfishness by asking help from the divine source. So kept, it brings peace and joy in believing and gladness of soul, health of body and mind, and words always wise and helpful when Christ abides within. All who name Christ must therefore watch and pray and guard the avenues of the soul with unceasing diligence, never becoming careless or looking upon sin with indifference. Satan is at work to corrupt and destroy and will succeed if given even the least advantage, and yielding brings the soul under his power, stains it with the corruptions of a degenerate age, and wrecks the life's example, so the camp needs purging through repentance, a sense of need of pardon, and atonement through the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour while wrongs can still be righted. Ministers and people alike must diligently keep hearts right with God, and the more important and responsible the work the greater the need for clean hearts, which God supplies by grace as the Holy Spirit works with earnest effort to form purity and love, unity among believers and growth in grace, changing beholders of Christ's character into His image.
Heeding the Holy Spirit's instruction keeps the heart from forgetting His teaching and returning to the natural inclinations of an unconsecrated mind, which shape the course of life. Welcoming the Spirit makes one wise unto salvation, with holy thoughts, heavenly affections and Christlike actions taking the place of impure thoughts, perverse feelings and rebellion. Keeping the heart is joined to diligence in common everyday duties, with personal piety cultivated rather than neglected for close study, physical labor united with study, and cooperation with God, making one dependable in trying emergencies as a diligent worker and vigilant watcher for the Lord. It includes earnest watchfulness over thoughts and motives while looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith, disciplining and watching the tongue and being alert to do good, for eternal life depends not on words or profession but on earnest works, and a well-built character with a penitent sensitive heart follows the divine pattern. Guarding begins at the beginning with heart work and not theory alone, asking for a clean heart which God answers by giving a new heart. It means making friendship with God the highest aim, coming near in silent communion with praise and pleading for a clear sense of divine things and for the warmth of His love, and staying closely connected to Him, and a heart so guarded brings unity amid diversity, shines as light, bears fruit as a branch of the True Vine, is fitted to minister, sings instead of complaining and rebelling, loses self in Christ, and grows in faith and holy trust in Jesus as a living reality. Every true servant must closely guard the citadel of the soul and enthrone God first, giving up every rival husband, wife, child or earthly thing that would steal affection and take the homage belonging to Him, for mere lip talk of truth does no good unless the heart is true and loyal in practice. Day by day each determines what the soul shall live upon by choosing to feed on the flesh and blood of the Son of God, which is His Word, rather than letting the future be piloted by influences opposed to truth to satisfy the wishes of the natural heart.