On Guard

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23

Many people are captivated by England’s Crown Jewels. They are part of the royal collection and are one of the things that tourists flock to see in London. The stars of the Crown Jewel display are the crowns, swords, scepters, rings, and robes used in the coronations of past kings and queens. The Crown Jewels are a reminder of the monarchy’s royalty and wealth. So, as you might expect, they are under armed guard in the Jewel House in the Tower of London. Men nicknamed Beefeaters guard the tower and the jewels.

People guard things that are valuable to them. Bankers keep their money in vaults. The wealthy keep their jewels in home safes or in special safe-deposit boxes at the bank. Museums have security guards and a security system with cameras that track every move. Some homeowners have video surveillance and security systems for their houses. Your parents probably keep the money they are saving for a new car or a vacation in the bank. You may even have your own bank account to keep your money safe. People want to guard what’s valuable to them.

What about your heart? Do you guard it? This heart is not the organ that pumps blood through your body. It is a spiritual part of you. It is the source of your thoughts, words, and actions. The Bible says to guard your spiritual heart, because everything flows from it. It determines who you are and what you will be.

How can you guard your heart? By filling it with things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (see Philippians 4:8). That might mean not listening to your best friend’s favorite music because the songs have lyrics that aren’t pure or admirable. It might mean turning off a television show because the main character says things that aren’t honorable or lovely. Look for replacements for those things by finding music, shows, books, and activities that encourage positive values and faith in God.

When you guard your heart, the things that flow out of it will be things that please God and help you to be more like Jesus.

Draw a heart on a piece of paper. In the heart, write ten things you want to fill your heart with. You can include the words from Philippians 4:8, list Bible passages you’d like to memorize, or write worship songs that help you think about God. Share the heart you’ve drawn with your family or a close friend. You can explain what it means to guard your heart.