Proverbs 4:14-27

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV)

What we think about has tremendous power for either good or evil. Every good and noble word or action begins in the heart. And every evil and destructive word or action begins in the heart. The heart is like a secret garden that must be tended. If the soil is hard, then we must break it up with the truth. Then we must intentionally plant good seed in it—that is we must meditate on the Word of God. If we do nothing, then we can be sure the noxious weeds will grow on their own, and our garden will become unfruitful, a fire hazard, and a public nuisance.

Even after we sow the Word of God into the heart, we must pray that God waters it with His Spirit so that it may mature and bear fruit. All along we face the constant enemy of our own sinful nature. It has a great influence, so that we cannot trust even our own heart.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV)

We need God’s help. He alone searches the heart. If we want to diligently keep our heart, then we must invite the Holy Spirit to regularly examine us and reveal any unworthy thoughts or bad attitudes that would lead us astray. We must ask Him to help us cultivate God-thoughts that are worthy of Christ and bring forth good fruit.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote:

“Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

Your life and your destiny are too important to leave to chance. Wisely and diligently tend the secret garden of your heart, and you will bring forth beautiful plants, fragrant flowers, and nutritious fruit for yourself and others.