Read Proverbs 23:12. How Do We Apply This Verse?

Read Proverbs 23:12. How do we apply this verse?

How do you apply your heart to instruction?

Thursday

Read 1 Samuel 16:7. Why does God look at our heart?

Read Proverbs 4:1. What is the first thing we should do?

How do we give our hearts? Is this once and for all, or over and over again?

Read Proverbs 4:10. What does this verse say we are to do? What does that look like in daily life?

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord…” 1 Peter 3:15. What does this verse mean?

Friday

Is the starting place our salvation? Why or why not?

Read Proverbs 23:19. What is the “way” or “right path”?

According to Hebrews 4:12 in what way can God’s Word perform surgery on our heart?

Read Proverbs 19:3. According to this verse why should we give our heart to the Lord?

What does God promise to do for the heart (Ezek. 36:26-27)?

Saturday

What needs to take place in your heart?

Prayers: Pray for God’s comfort for Karen, and children Justin, Amanda, Shane and Jonathanwith Mike’s passing.

WISDOM from 9/13/15

PROVERBS “Heart of the Matter” Proverbs 4:23

I. We are to GUARD or heart (Proverbs 4:23)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

A. What are the most important things a Christian can do? How would you respond to that question? Would guarding your heart be on your list?

B. Protect, watch, keep, guard. What does this mean? What do you protect and guard?

C. Why the emphasis on the heart? We are told above all else, because everything flows from the heart.

II. We can GAIN insight into ourselves (Proverbs 27:19)

“As in water face reflects face, So the heart of man reflects man.”

A. What is the “heart”? It’s mentioned over 900 times. The "heart" refers to such things as personality, intellect, memory, emotions, desires and our will. (Proverbs 23:7)

B. Like a mirror our heart shows us the way to truly know ourselves. “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (Luke 6:46)

C. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5 & Proverbs 27:19)

III. First we are to GIVE our heart (Proverbs 23:26)

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways”

A. We need a new heart. Jeremiah 17:9 & Ezekiel 36:26

B. God is not looking to have a place in your heart: He wants all of your heart. “But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5)

IV. Second we are to GUIDE our heart (Proverbs 23:12)

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.”

A. We are to guide our heart because the heart is not trustworthy. “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26)

B. We guide our heart so it will not wander and lead us astray. “Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths.” (Proverbs 7:25, 14:16, 18:1)

C. We guide our heart by obedience. “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,” (Romans 6:17)

D. We guide our heart by thinking with our minds, not our emotions. “Healthy feelings, properly ordered among themselves, are essential to a good life. So if we are to be formed in Christ-likeness, we must take good care of our feelings and not just let them ‘happen’.” Dallas Willard

E. We guide our heart by continued repentance. We have been purified not perfected. (Psalm 139:23-24)

Daily Meditations

Use this as an opportunity to spend some time meditating on today’s message.

Monday

What two things does "guard" imply about your heart?

“Guard your heart." What things do you guard and why?

What phrase does Proverbs 4:23 use to describe the heart? What does this mean?

Proverbs 4:32 literally means, keep with all keeping; a double guard; above all other guarding. Why this emphasis?

Why give our heart this much attention?
Tuesday

What can we learn from an honest look at our hearts?

What does Jeremiah 17:9 say about the heart?

Read Romans 10:10. What does it say about the heart?

Read Acts 21:13. What do our emotions have to do with our heart?

Read Acts 2:37. What was pierced? Explain the meaning?

Wednesday

“But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts.” (Mark 2:6) What does this verse show?

Read Mark 7:21. What does Jesus say about the heart?

Read Ephesians 4:8. What is the cure for this condition?