Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Have you ever wondered why we seem to sabotage ourselves in life? This might seem a little off track, but the human heart itself is a wicked thing. We aren't sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners. All the devils has to do is nudge us in a direction, throw some temptation our way, etc and we go after it that easily. I can't express how important is, how critical is it to protect your heart from the evil ways mankind. From drugs, from alcoholism, perversion, temptation, jealously, bitterness, etc. Instead maintain the fruit of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:16-23:
16) So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17) For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20) idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21) and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23) gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Also, I've noticed when I'm not right with God I tend to sway and get a sense of just being lost and insecure. I'm not grounded in Him or in the Word. But once I let God help root me again, I get a clear understanding and I'm secure. in Psalm 7:9 His word says: "O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure."
- I wouldn't have known that verse if God didn't help ground me in His Word this morning.
Proverbs 4:23: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. I don't know about some people, but I live by my heart. I consult my heart in everything I do. I try to keep in tune with it and feel whether something is right or wrong and whether it's going to hurt me later on or not. If I let my heart become hardened and bitter, I'm going to regurgitate that whenever I speak. Words can cut like a knife. My actions will be spiteful and kiniving. I want my words to build people up, not tear them down. I want my actions to be actions that my God would be proud of.
Vices (Neglecting God and others):
Sexual Immorality (Galatians 5:19)
Impurity (Galatians 5:19)
Lust (Colossians 3:5)
Hatred (Galatians 5:20)
Discord (Galatians 5:20)
Jealousy (Galatians 5:20)
Anger (Galatians 5:20)
Selfish abition (Galatians 5:20)
Dissension (Galatians 5:20)
Arrogance (2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20)
Envy (Galatians 5:21)
Murder (Revelation 22:12-16)
Idolatry (Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 5:5)
Witchcraft (Galatians 5:20)
Drunkenness (Galatians 5:21)
Wild living (Luke 15:13; Galatians 5:21)
Cheating (1 Corinthians 6:8)
Adultery (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)
Greed (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Ephesians 5:5)
Stealing (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10)
Lying (Revelation 22:12-16)
Virtues (The by-products of living for God):
Love (Galatians 5:22)
Joy (Galatians 5:22)
Peace (Galatians 5:22)
Patience (Galatians 5:22)
Kindness (Galatians 5:22)
Goodness (Galatians 5:22)
Faithfulness (Galatians 5:22)
Gentleness (Galatians 5:22)
Self-control (Galatians 5:22)
"The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-product of Christ's control - we can't obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to his (see John 15:4, 5). We must know him, love him, remember him, and imitate him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law - to love god and our neighbors. 34:8 \34:7\The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. |
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