Does Your Heart Need a Check-up?

Introduction

Text

Proverbs 4:23 NASB95

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

The Book

A Survey of the Old Testament Chapter 23: Proverbs

The purpose of the book of Proverbs is to collect the wisdom of ancient Israel and offer both instruction and example in godly living. The wisdom compiled in the book functioned to shape character and promote virtue in keeping with the commandments of Moses.

The Purpose

A Survey of the Old Testament Purpose and Message

The purposes of the book of Proverbs are stated in the prologue to the wisdom collections (1:2–7). They include

• To know wisdom and instruction (1:2; cf. 3:21–26)

• To receive teaching in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity (1:3; cf. 2:9)

• To help the simple gain prudence and the youth to gain knowledge and discretion (1:4; cf. 2:20–22)

• To increase learning and to acquire skill in understanding (1:5; cf. 9:9)

• To understand proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles (1:6; cf. 4:10, 20)

• To learn the fear of the Lord (1:7; cf. 2:5–6)

What we read here (Pr 4:23) is a call to accept and follow God’s wisdom

In our text there are 25 imperatives, further emphasizing that this is not just Solomon passing on gems, but making a plea to practice these things.

Our Text

The “heart” is specifically highlighted in this verse

Watch over it - Preserve, keep, protect, cause to be safe from danger

With diligence - to guard (a prisoner) [emp. is on FOCUS]

“For from it flows the springs of life” - The Hebrew term totsaot refers to the beginning of a limit (where something starts) - IT CAN DETERMINE WHERE YOU GO!!! - [it determines the course of life NLT]

This is interesting because there are many things that start. . .in the heart

The hear then is presented as the source of a person’s life course

It then becomes important, what gets lodged in my heart

NOTICE Pr 4:20-21 “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart.”

This juxtaposed by Pr 4:24 “Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you.”

The Heart

The heart was seen as the “seat” of ones INTELLECT, INTENTIONS, & EMOTION.

It was the real man

It shaped who someone was

Prov 27:19 “As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.”

The Heart and God

1 Sam 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””

1 Chr 28:9 ““As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches [to learn waht was prev. unknown] all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”

The Heart and Man

Jer 17:9-10 ““The heart is more deceitful [to lead astray from the right precept “bumpy terrain”] than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.”

Jer. describes a heart left up to itself (vs. 1; 5)

The condition worsened Jer 13:10 “‘This wicked people, who refuse to listen to My words, who walk in the stubbornness [firmness; unwilling to change] of their hearts and have gone after other gods to serve them and to bow down to them, let them be just like this waistband which is totally worthless.” - “I know, but. . .”

REMEDY - Submit. Pray, ask God to help you see the beauty and blessing of submission

The Heart and Life

Prov 4:23 “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”

BE Careful what you put in your heart. Matt 12:34 ““You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.”

APPL. What I read, watch, listen fills my heart and shows up in my character and disposition towards God.

Php 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true [opposed to error], whatever is honorable [worthy of respect], whatever is right [just, acc. to God’s standard], whatever is pure, whatever is lovely [pleasing,agreeable], whatever is of good repute [worthy of praise], if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell [ponder, think, bear on the mind] on these things.”

BE Careful what I keep in my heart

Pride - Pr 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Pr 29:23 “A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor.” - To elevate, seek eminence and exaltation

Unforgiveness - Matt 6:14-15 ““For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” - Is unforgiveness lodged in your heart?

Eph 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

HOW TO ADDRESS THIS? - Pray, Seek opportunites to approach, Leave things in God’s hands, Grow

Worry - To be consumed with cares that are uncertain and out of our control. Php 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Be Mindful of who rules my heart

Jn 13:2 “During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him,” Acts 5:3 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?”

Rom 6:17 “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed,”

The Heart and Judgement

Romans 2:16 NASB95

on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Where are secrets kept?

Does your heart need a check up?