Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist

Above all, guard the heart from going astray, for out of it are the issues of life. 

The reference is not only to the arteries which carry the blood to all parts of the body, but also to the evil and good deeds that come from the heart (center) of man (Mk. 7:19-21). 

When one keeps the heart from evil it is an easy matter to obey the other commands of this passage (Prov. 4:23-27).

October 16 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How can I keep my heart with all diligence?
Proverbs 4:23 ESV: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life."

In Proverbs 4:23, the term "heart" refers to "the inner person" or "secret self." (Read Psalm 51:6 and footnote.) In other words, "heart" refers to our private thoughts, feelings, motives, and desires. It is who we really are on the inside, not just who we appear to be on the outside.

If we are to succeed in safeguarding our hearts, we must be able to identify dangers and react quickly to protect ourselves. The word translated "safeguard" in Proverbs 4:23 reminds us of a watchman's work.

To safeguard our hearts, we must not only close them to wrong influences but also open them to positive influences. Think again about the illustration of a walled city. A gatekeeper closed the gates of the city to stop an enemy invasion, but at other times, he opened the gates to allow food and other supplies to be brought in. If the gates were never open, the inhabitants of the city would starve. Similarly, we need to open our hearts regularly to the influence of God's thinking.

The person who has become a disciple of Jesus Christ must continue in the way of life. He is warned: "Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall." (1Co 10:12) 

Jesus showed that it is from the heart that wicked reasonings, adultery, murder, and so forth, emanate. These things would lead to death. (Mt 15:19, 20) Guarding against such heart reasonings by supplying the heart with life-giving spiritual nourishment, the truth from the pure Fountain of life, will keep the heart from going wrong and taking the person out of the way of life.​—Ro 8:6

We should also make it a practice to examine our hearts and prayerfully reflect on what our words and actions reveal.

Keeping your heart with all diligence means protecting your inner life—your thoughts, desires, and emotions—because they direct the course of your life. You can achieve this by setting boundaries on what you consume, replacing negative thoughts with truth, and seeking wisdom daily.

The proverb (Proverbs 4:23) is a call to active stewardship. 

Practical ways to guard your heart include:

Filter Your Inputs: Be mindful of the media, entertainment, and conversations you allow into your mind, as they shape your inner thoughts.

Control Your Thought Life: Take negative thoughts captive by replacing them with scripture, truth, and positive reflections.

Set Clear Boundaries: Protect yourself from toxic relationships, gossip, and environments that breed bitterness or anxiety.

Watch Your Words: Remember that your speech flows from your heart; speak life, grace, and truth.

Prioritise Spiritual Disciplines: Engage in regular prayer, meditation, and study of the word to keep your focus aligned.

Pray for assistance to help you.

June 01 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Proverbs 4:23: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Today, one needs to be in the right spirit of discernment through humbleness to keep one's heart with diligence. For God the Father can make all grace abound towards us, that we always have sufficiency in all things that abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8) God the Father supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory through our Lord Jesus. (Phi 4:19) One needs then to keep thine heart with diligence, for then you shall be aware that your eyes are the lamp of the body. If thine eye be single (healthy in humbleness), the whole body shall be full of light. (Mat 6:22) One needs to be aware of the eyes that see things around that are ungodly, and if you let your blood strive in you, it then goes through your heart and mind, bringing issues of life that are then stored in your heart and mind. (Pro 4:21,23,25) These issues of life that are stored in one's mind, the blood that strives in one, then has no control over their tongue, who then utters their words of saying, which then the unclean spirit beings as Satan leads, as Judas went through by putting thoughts into his mind. (Joh 13:2)

To keep your heart with diligence, one needs to be aware that the eye is the lamp of the body. When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee, one having been given an appetite, put a knife to your throat that holds the tongue. Be not desirous of the rulers’ dainties, for they are deceitful meat, and labour not to be rich; cease from thine own wisdom. (Pro 23:1-5) The rulers' dainties meat, having an evil eye, that saith eat and drink, but their heart is not with thee, the morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up and lose thy sweet words. (Pro 23:6-8) One who then keeps their heart with diligence, and considers diligently what is before thee, perceives whatever entereth, it cannot defile him. Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats. (Mar 7:18-19) For then when one commits thy works unto the Lord, the thoughts are established, and He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with Him. One who then keeps their hearts with diligence, having the eye as a lamp, the heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. (Pro 16:3,7,23)

This perilous time that we see today, one needs to keep thine heart with diligence, as Lord Jesus has revealed unto us, “Nations shall rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms, for there shall be famines and pestilence, earthquakes in diverse places, which is the beginning of sorrows.” (Mat 24:7-8) Apostle Paul has revealed unto us, “In the last days perilous times shall come.” For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. They shall have no natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. For then being traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Tim 3:1-5) One who then turns away and holds their tongue, the Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth. He shall not speak of himself, whatsoever he shall hear, that is from our Lord Jesus and God the Father, that shall he speak, and he will shew you things to come. (Joh 14:26/16:13)

Joel 2:13: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Psalm 103:5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

8 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report