Wisdom for the New Year - Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4 (ESV)

21   My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21  Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22  For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
23  Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
24  Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
25  Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26  Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27  Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.

 

 

This is one of those sections that supports the "You are who you hang with" theory. I have shared that theory with young people on several occasions and with their parents. Good kids don't stay good kids hanging out with the wrong crowd. But the truth is that we are not much better as big kids.

 

It wouldn't take long hanging out with a certain "old" crowd for my speech to change or my desires to change. That is what "Keep your heart" is talking about.

 

You can't listen to music that is full of obscene language and not expect that to overflow from your lips. We could talk about movies, novels, magazines, etc. But even TV commercials have a great impact, otherwise companies would not spend millions of dollars to advertise in the Superbowl for a 30 second commercial.

 

Guard your heart, eyes and ears beloved and your ways will be sure, keep you gaze on Christ.

 

Serving our precious Lord,

Steve