WHACHA GUARDIN'? PROVERBS 4:23

Introduction: In Proverbs 4:3,4 we learn that Solomon is teaching his son Rehoboam how to live. He is teaching him what his father, David, taught him

Here, we find a command (Prov 4:23) With the help of the Holy Spirit, David knew that most of the problems we experience in this life come from the heart.
As you know (or should know), our hearts cannot be trusted. They are deceptive and desperately wicked, so says the Bible, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 God even goes on to say that a person, who puts trust in his heart, is a fool.    "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool..." (Prov 28:26)

If the heart is left unguarded and unguided, it will always lead you astray!

When our hearts are left unguarded, they determine for us how we will live our lives and how we will view life. A heart, that is guarded, is less likely to lead you wrongly in the issues of life. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Prov.3:5)

The word God uses for "keep" in Proverbs 4:23, is a word He uses 63 times in the Old Testament. It means "to guard, to protect, to preserve." The Word of God says that all that is in the world is wrapped up in three things. (1 John 2:16)

1-      The lust of the flesh is the extreme desire to experience and enjoy the pleasures of the world.

2-       The lust of the eyes is the extreme desire to have or own something. The more you get, the more you desire to have.

3-      The pride of life is the desire to be somebody. How tragic this is when even Christians desire to make a name for themselves. Remember, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1)

I.          GUARD YOUR HEART FROM THE LUST OF THE FLESH. - Ecclesiastes 1:9 "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

- Our flesh is at war with our spirit. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.1 Pet 2:11

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?" (James 4:1)

II.        GUARD YOUR HEART FROM  LUST OF THE EYES.

- Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." - Eve made a judgement based on the desire of her eyes.
- Joshua 7:21 tells us what happened when a man named Achan desired what his eyes wanted,

-If you do not guard your heart against the extreme desire to have or own something, you will end up owning the things of the world.
- Since the flesh wars against the spirit, to own what God condemns, is
sinful.

III.       GUARD YOUR HEART FROM THE PRIDE OF LIFE. Prov 6:19 "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood..."

-          God hates pride. Notice He mentions it FIRST in the list of things He hates. - Example: A Self-Deceived Woman Said To H.A. Ironside, "I Haven't Sinned In Over 17 Years!" Dr. Ironside Replied, "That Is Truly A Remarkable Record, Madam. I Suppose You Are Very Proud Of It!" The Woman Beamingly Replied, "Oh, Yes, I Am!" How Blinding Is Spiritual Pride To One's True Condition!

- The Bible speaks of a group of Christians who said, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." (Revelation 3:17)

-Years ago, one newspaper writer named Ralph McGill, wrote of himself,
In matters controversial,
My prescription's very fine,
I always see both sides of things,
The one that's wrong and mine.

Those, who fall to pride, fall into the condemnation of the devil! "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (1 Timothy 3:6)

Conclusion: Sadly, some Christians guard the wrong things. Instead of hating what God hates, they justify it. Their hearts are filled with all that is in the world:
- The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
We are commanded not to love the world nor its things, (1 John 2:15-6)
Hence, I ask the question, "Whacha guardin'?" Are you guarding, that is, are you protecting and preserving, the three enemies of the Christian life? Are you keeping them secret so as to preserve them? Or, are you guarding, that is, are you protecting and preserving, your heart? Are
you keeping it protected so as to preserve it?
** Don't forget, Jesus may come back today!

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."Lamentations 3:22-23