Protecting the Heart

Matters of the Heart, Part 3 Protecting the Heart

Watch over your heart with all diligence,

 for from it flow the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23).

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This week, we must learn to protect our hearts.

            Guard against influences which hinder our renewal.

                               Pride

                               Rivals for devotion            

            Guard against the numbing effect of pride.

10 Hebrew and 2 Greek words generally used for pride refer to being exalted or lofty in attitude. One other Greek word refers to a person’s being puffed up or inflated with pride or egotism.

Pride is cited by Paul in the two lists of the most glaring sins in (Rom 1:28-32, 2 Tm 3:1–5) . . . Pride, when it is present, affects one attitude (heart) and then is reflected in one’s speech, in one’s eyes, in one’s actions.

(Proverbs 6:16-19) There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

A man’s pride will bring him low,

but a humble spirit will obtain honor (Proverbs 29:23).

(Prov. 16:50 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord;

To protect our hearts, we should understand . . . The Problem

                        Pride leads to self-reliance.

                        Self-reliance leads to neglect.

                        Neglect leads to disappointment.

Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5), King Herod (Acts 12), Haman (Ester 6)

Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 32, Assyrian ruler-Sennacharib)

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.(Pr. 16:18)

            Understand the Causes

                        We misinterpret our success.

2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God . . .  (Uzziah)

                        We grow comfortable with life.

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; 12 otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Hosea 13:6 As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me.

            Understand the Safeguards

A daily remembrance                            A daily renewal

(James.4:6-10) Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.