Guard Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23- Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
The year was 2002 and I was in the throes of ministry with my Pastor in West Africa. On day two, I was introduced to a prophet who amongst other things, told me very pointedly, "to guard my heart."
I had no idea what he meant. I believed myself to be in the company of God's best servants, people who would look out for me and have my best interest in mind. I thought that we were all on the same team, with the same goals-winning souls for Christ. Boy, did I have a lot to learn!
"Guard your heart," the scripture says. I was totally clueless as to what that meant because I was in the habit of easily dismissing myself (dreams, aspirations, goals, even joy). I came of age in a church environment where you were taught to die to the self. Pretty much all interests, dreams, and desires that did not coincide with the pastor's vision of ministry were dismissed and counted as a waste of time. From this teaching, I became very good at silencing my inner voice (myself).
Secondly, guarding my heart didn't make sense to me because of the teaching that says, the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt and severely sick (Jeremiah 17:9). So, needless to say, I automatically applied this to myself as the church was very thorough at reminding its congregants of their sins. Amazing,while we are taught that we are forgiven by God, there still remains that teaching that has to remind people that no matter what, they are still sinners. So then, what's the point of being a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17)? Yet, I was taught that I could not trust myself, listen to myself or to the roaring of my own heart. The roaring inside was not that of a lion seeking to devour and destroy me. It was the gentle sound of my own voice moving me toward my destiny, God's purposes and plans for me.
"Guard your heart for out of it flows the springs of LIFE. The heart is that place where God speaks to us. Remember hearing this phrase?-"follow your heart, follow your gut." The way a thing feels inside us matters. But we oftentimes fail to hear God because our hearts are cluttered with so many other things. If we are being told to guard it, that means there are things that need not gain entrance. I think it's safe to say that what is in a person's heart is what eventually manifests. Talk is cheap; who a person truly is, will show itself. So the heart can harbor both good and evil. This scripture, however is speaking of the heart as a well of life.
We can have a cluttered heart by listening too intently to the voices of other people. Their opinions about us often outweigh our opinions about ourselves. I used to hang onto every word my pastor uttered,even when his words didn't feel right in my spirit. I always deferred to him because I believed his connection to God was better and more accurate than mine.
If out of the heart flows the springs of life then I would assume that listening to your heart will not steer you wrong. But if you are in the habit of looking for answers outside of yourself, you will never come to trust yourself.
Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you"(Luke 17:21).
Guard your heart- it is God's dwelling place. Keep it safe and free of distractions, go there often for it is there that He awaits you!
Peace