Editor’s note: This is a reprinted column from Jack Purcell’s “On the Journey” archives. It originally appeared in The Star in 2013.
The term “heart” is mentioned throughout the Bible in different contexts. For the purposes of our discussion, let’s consider it to be man’s most inward self, the very seat of his being.
In Galatians 4:6 Paul says, “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
As Christians, your heart and mine are indwelt by the Spirit of God. That is not only good news but is closely tied to some other key scriptures that emphasize the importance to God of man’s heart.
Jesus tells us in Luke’s gospel to guard our hearts. There is nothing complicated about this. It means we are responsible to care for our own hearts, to protect them from the things that draw us away from Christ.
Do you know what those things are in your life? They begin in your mind, work their way into your emotions and wind up becoming actions.
We are to guard our heart. One translation says in Proverbs, “As a man thinks in his heart so is he.”
Another interesting conundrum we find regarding the heart is found in several places referring to hardened hearts. Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts ...”
Maybe the simplest understanding of this concept is an inability of the heart to receive truth from God. Even the disciples, Jesus said, had their hearts hardened and thus didn’t understand the significance of the feeding of the 5,000. Needless to say, many things can lead to a hardened heart, which is all the more reason to guard it.
I quoted Philippians 4:7 last week but let’s look again and see that ... “The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
At first glance you may be thinking that God is guarding your heart and He will do a better job than you can. But wait, it says the “peace of God” is what guards our hearts, and we learned last week that worry will prevent God’s peace. So the ball is back in our court.
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 (NAS)
It once again brings us to the place of trusting God with the circumstances of our life, resting in his peace and then enjoying his protection.
Notice the use of the word “rule” or govern your heart. This is placing great importance on the place of God’s peace in our hearts.
God is not only concerned about our spiritual and physical well-being. He is also committed to your emotional well-being.
Years ago, I was having a nice breakfast with a colleague in the dining hall of the hospital at Fort Dix, New Jersey. A newly arrived dentist came and joined us and quickly began complaining about his plight of the Army having the audacity to assign him to Fort Dix.
As he droned on he said, “I am going to be miserable the whole time I am here.” I so badly wanted to say, “You got that right!” but I held my tongue and continued to enjoy my breakfast taco.
This young man and many others that you and I both know had determined not to be at peace. They will have their way.
I trust this next week will be one in which you will guard your heart and enjoy the peace of God.
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