“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4
A close personal relationship with the Godhead is found in the wise words of king Solomon. Although some (perhaps a lot) of Solomon’s life contradicted his wisdom, God the Holy Spirit stirred his heart to write strong words for living.
The heart, the place life starts
What image comes to mind when you read, “keep vigilant watch over your heart?” This rendering of the Old Testament book of Proverbs is from The Message. I like the images Eugene Peterson’s (The author) words paint. It helps me visualize what God the Father wants me to understand.
For me, this verse paints the image of palace guards standing with one hand on their sword, the other on their horn (to signal danger), and keen eyes constantly moving across the landscape, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Is this the image you see?
The idea behind the image is protecting someone (or something) is very important. In this case, your heart—thoughts, imaginations, emotions, and actions.
Why does God place such high value on your heart?
Solomon tells us that life—the boundaries of living, moving, and being—start with the heart. A right heart will produce a right life, while a wicked heart will produce a sinful life.
A heart longing to please God the Father operates on the understanding of, I am willing to be made willing. In another place in Proverbs, Solomon says something to the effect, everyone claims to be loyal and God-honoring, but where on earth can you find one?
In other words, a willing heart, not a perfect heart, is needed to live.
The used car salesman
For me, talking out of both sides of your mouth brings up the image of a used car salesman. They run off at the mouth, telling you everything they think you want to hear about the car you “have” to buy. Have you encountered one?
Let your words be true; your yes, yes, and no. If fear prevents you from boldly standing and saying the right thing, then make it a matter of conversation with Jesus (God the Son) to show you his word and God the Holy Spirit to give you strength to make a stand.
Protecting your heart means having a meaningful conversation with the Godhead. It means being willing to be made willing to do the right thing. It does not happen overnight, but it will happen.
Avoid careless banter
Today’s world (especially in North America) is polluted with careless words that hurt and demean people. Solomon must have encountered such carelessness, or knowing a future apart for him, God the Father included it to help us.
Words produce death or life—words coming out of your mouth and my mouth. A close personal relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit teaches you how to speak life.
It does not mean that every word out of your mouth is serious. It means that your heart keeps you from saying damaging things to others.
Keep your eyes straight ahead
This reminds me of the racing horse wearing blinders. Their purpose is to keep the horse focused on the track. In life, many “sideshow distractions” are vying for your attention. You become distracted from the race before you when you give it to them.
In other words, these distractions are meant to detour you away from life.
Watch your step
The image this paints for me is a sprinter in a race. They are laser-focused on the track in front of them. They know that one misstep can cost them the race.
A close personal relationship with the Godhead teaches you how to walk (or run) so that life’s sideshow distractions and dips on the track do not overtake you causing a crash.
Leave evil
Leaving evil is simply the result of walking with God. If your reason for a close personal relationship with the Godhead is to avoid evil, perhaps there is a matter of the heart that needs to be addressed.
Mankind (male & female humanity) is made to be close to God. The loss of the spiritual connection between God and mankind opens the door for the adversary, the devil, to mess with your mind.
If anyone ever tells you they have no desire to have a relationship with God, know that the devil has messed with their mind.
A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is an unexpected journey of discovery.
Join me in the journey; it will be life-altering.