Week 8: Guard Your Heart
Weekly Reading:
Numbers 31 - Deuteronomy 14
Opening Prayer
Father God,
As we move forward in this new year, I see where my life has been and desire to grow more in You. You are my guiding light to a life surrounded by beauty and blessings. I know that this life has no promises of ease, and we will face suffering because we are Your children, but if I remain in You, I know that I can handle what life brings. Father, I pray that You help me find influences that bring me closer to You.
Amen
Study
Those with whom we surround ourselves have a strong influence on our lives. Have you ever become friends with someone, and you find yourself saying some of the same things they say? You live in a new state, and soon you take on saying y’all, after a while, you wonder how you ever mentioned a group of people without saying y’all! The same is true when we surround ourselves with a group of people who prioritize exercise. Soon you begin to prioritize exercise. A daily walk is suddenly essential, and how did you ever get along without yoga?
Conversely, you start hanging out with people who drink more than they should, and soon you may be doing the same.
“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.” Deuteronomy 6:1-2
God knows that our minds tend toward a herd mentality, following others, peer pressure, or whatever we may call it. In this, God was very particular in wanting us to guard our hearts against influence toward idols and anything ungodly so that we enjoy a long life. In Deuteronomy 7:2, God tells the Israelites that when they conquer a nation, they are to wipe them out, make no treaties, and show no mercy. Do not intermarry (Deuteronomy 7:3), or they will lead the Israelites away from God. God knows that we will take on the traits or customs of those around us.
In Proverbs 4:23, Solomon warns us to guard our hearts, for it determines the course of our life.
In Philippians 4:7, Paul says that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Further in Philippians 4:8, we are told to fix our eyes on what is good.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
We have seen others fall into this trap of allowing in the influence of others, and so God’s wisdom tells us early on to guard our hearts, do not intermarry, do not keep company with nonbelievers as the slope is slippery. We can still witness to others but not be drawn into the lives of others, the habits of others, which are not believers in God.
Guard your heart and mind. In I Kings 11:2, we see even wise King Solomon turn his heart from God as he intermarries and surrounds himself with the worldly.
Don’t let your daughters marry their sons! Don’t take their daughters as wives for your sons. Don’t ever promote the peace and prosperity of those nations. If you follow these instructions, you will be strong and will enjoy the good things the land produces, and you will leave this prosperity to your children forever.’ Ezra 9:12
In all things, guard your heart by surrounding yourself with other believers, being in the word, and praying to our Heavenly Father.
Closing Prayer
Father God,
I know that I am susceptible to what others think and feel. I can easily be led astray by watching TV, letting it in slowly, only to become addicted to time in front of a screen. I know that the desire to watch TV keeps me from my time with You. Just as my time in a podcast or social media. The world can influence me. Because of this, Father, I know that I am also susceptible to sin. Father, forgive me. Guide me to what pleases You and provides You glory. Feed my life with influences that are healthy and of You. Father, I am weak, but I can be strong in You.
Amen
Homework
Are there areas in your life that lead you away from God’s glory or design in your life?
Is there an area or friend you need to prune to make way for God’s brilliant light?
Pray today that God will make way for you to find positive influences that will bring you back to God’s grace or keep you in God’s grace.
