March 6, 2026 -- Proverbs 4:23 -- What good or evil is flowing out of you?
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Standing all alone it seems like an odd little verse. Lately we’ve been examining the instruction of godly fathers and the teaching of mothers who are faithful to God. We’ve noted there are two pathways: the highway of evil that leads to destruction and the road of wisdom that deepens one’s relationship with God for all eternity. In many ways this is a summary statement. A key reminder that what you’ve put into your heart will inevitably flow out from it.
Perhaps this was the background of wisdom Jesus used as He taught:
How can you speak good when you are evil?
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good person out of his good treasure
brings forth good,
and the evil person out of his evil treasure
brings forth evil.
(Matthew 12:34b-35)
What you see, what you hear, what you read, what you think about, what group of people are your closest companions—all of these will affect, or infect your heart. If you are not constantly guarding your heart, vigilantly, carefully, thoroughly, you’ll be pouring the poison of evil into the deepest part of your decision-making self. Soon all you desire, think about, see, and do confirms the ever-widening pool of corruption in your heart.
However, the man who trusts in God, walking in His ways, opening himself up to all godly instruction will be guarding the treasured well-spring of his heart. A man’s heart is made pure by Jesus through faith in Him. A godly woman is guarded in purity by her utter submission to the Holy Spirit. Every godly person carefully scrutinizes all the input of the world. That means to guard his mind by filtering through his faith all that his eyes and ears pick up. Whatever is ungodly, vile, or good-seeming-but-is-actually-evil, will be flagged and discarded. Why?
First of all, our lives were bought at the cost of the blood of Jesus Christ. He bore the full weight of God’s anger against our sin. What other response could there ever be but the profound and glorious desire to stay within that pleasant place where we’re counted the beloved of God?
Second, people who know we are Christians are looking at us. Does your life really reflect the fullness of your awe-filled, profound gratitude to the Living God for His glorious rescue? If not, then they’ll know you are as much a fraud as the next person and your faith is worthless.
Third, as Jesus said, the heart, the source of your life from which flows either the poison of evil infection; or, guarded from it flows the springs of life. Fourth, Jesus Himself said He is a spring of water that wells up to eternal life (John 4:14). When people who know you as you were, see you as you are in Christ, it will be obvious, only Jesus, the Savior could have effected that massive change in you. God will be praised. When people who see you in Christ and know you are His servant, see your long-term faithfulness to Jesus, they will know, this could only come from a soul that is purified by a power greater than your own willpower.
Father in heaven thank You for Jesus Who is the spring of water welling up to eternal life. Holy Father and Blessed Savior, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who has opened up within the life of every believer this deep well of life, wisdom, and holiness. We confess how readily we pollute this spring in thought, word, deed and even in good deeds we know we should do but leave undone. Oh Father, at the start of this new day, cleanse us once again, as we confess our sins. Renew in us the vitality of the waters springing up in us to eternal life so that from that treasured source we bring forth good in whatever we do our say. Triune God, to You be the glory, now and forever more. Amen.
https://youtu.be/CyHbdqB8kto?si=eeAcRYRzJjtvvuN3 I Surrender All
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