"Protecting the Source"

Scripture: "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." -Proverbs 4:23, Holman CSB

Over the past twenty years, the world has evolved technologically. There was a time and a season where it was cool just to have a computer within your library or at your school. Now, we have computers everywhere, at work, at home, at the library, at the airport, and even, our cell phones. Along with this birth and use of computers everywhere, comes another critical aspect: protecting them against viruses. Once a computer has a virus, it is all downhill from there unless you have a computer that has anti-virus software on it. In the same light, as the enemy is our "virus", God is our "anti-virus". Though the enemy may come through with other types of viruses, God has a way of wiping those viruses out. As men and women of God, it's important that we learn how to protect our respective sources. Today's text will reveal what source I am making reference to and why we should protect it.

Just like yesterday, today's main scripture is located in the book of Proverbs. As I mentioned, Proverbs is considered one of the books found in the Poetry Books of the Old Testament. Through the eyes and penmanship of King Solomon, its writer, Proverbs provide worthwhile tidbits in helping you grow in God, but as a person.

As the text begins, King Solomon tells us what it is we should be guarding. Solomon writes, "Guard your heart above all else". If truth were told, we have ALL said or told someone that I am going to give you something that's most precious to me and that's my heart. Many of us today make decisions because of what our hearts say and not what our minds say. Through this age of organic foods and everything else, you can guard your heart by eating right. As you eat right and live right and do what's right, your heart will always be guarded. The Bible makes mention that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks". Whatever anger or bitterness is harbored in your heart, it will come out. Whatever feelings you have about something or someone, it will come out. If life gets to you, then it is not only going to get to your mind, but it's going to get to your heart! Now that Solomon has told us to protect our hearts, the final question is why should we protect our hearts?

The text is concluded by Solomon by saying, "for it is the source of life". Brothers and sisters, as you continue to live life, if you have a broken heart, then you are going to have a broken life. If your heart is not healthy, then your life is not healthy. If your heart is not strong, then your life is not as strong. God has given us this body of ours and it's on us, me inclusive, to give it as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service". In other words, in order to have a strong heart, eat the right things and have a steady diet of God, His Word, communing with Him through prayer and conversation. Build your heart with positive conversation and real people, not those who are always negative and wants to sugarcoat things to sooth your itching ear. We are at the stage of the game where God wants real people, real servants, and those who are focused on doing the right things for Him and their bodies and within today's text, their hearts. He has given us the ultimate protection of our hearts in His Son Jesus Christ. Though our hearts have been broken by man and the enemy, God sent Jesus to find the pieces of your heart and mend it back together again. Upon Jesus' return to Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to teach you all things and guide you in all things. Because of the Holy Spirit, it will help you to protect your source, which is your heart, because He understands the potency of your heart! If the Holy Spirit can understand the potency of your heart, I encourage you to do likewise and take care of your heart!

In closing, when a computer receive a virus, if it is not protected, then it's going to take a computer tech to straighten it out and provide you with the right anti-virus software. God and yourself serve as the anti-virus software that protects your source, your heart. On today, protect your heart because according to King Solomon, it's the source of life. Do you want your life to continue to be great or to become sickly and dormant? The choice is yours!