I have a small permanent knot on my head from the amount of times I fell when I was a kid. I used to run with my hands in my pockets so my head always broke my fall. My parents would tell me, "don't run with your hands in your pockets." I eventually learned my lesson and now run with hands unencumbered.
The advice below is from a loving father who is telling his child, don't run like the wicked. Keep your feet on a firm path. Wickedness leads to failure and pain. Stay away from it. Instead hold onto the teachings you know to be true and your path will be straight.
Proverbs 4:18-27
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My child, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Questions
1. What do you think is the biggest lesson from this passage?
2. What does he mean by "the heart...is the wellspring of life?"
3. What do you think we have to know to walk in the light?
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7 comments:
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
Does this mean it's best not to dwell in the past???
How do you "guard your heart"?
#1 - Yes. Dwelling on the past can definitely distract your gaze. There are other things that can do the same thing, but dwelling on the past is a big one.
#2 - What do you think is the best way to guard your heart?
Well, first, I'd want to think of what I'm guarding my heart from, like, hurt/pain and manipulation. All of which I think can be guarded by praying and pursuing God. But if hard times indicate God's work in lives, then hurt and pain are not necessarily bad things. But, I think knowing what I believe is important to avoiding manipulation and deceit from Satan.
So, the best way to guard a heart is trust in God, prayer, and knowledge and awareness!
That sounds good to me. What role do you think scripture has in guarding one's heart?
Mmmmm...well, I think the scripture helps us figue out what we believe, as well as correct and encourage us! So, it would be a key role in guarding our heart!
I saw this verse and thought it was good about the heart!
Psalm 16:7-9...
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
1. What do you think is the biggest lesson from this passage?
to keep going...straight ahead...
dont look back, just keep going.
2. What does he mean by "the heart...is the wellspring of life?"
be watchful of what you believe, for it is where your life will begin.
3. What do you think we have to know to walk in the light?
we have to know Jesus.
we have to know God.
we have to want to know more about Him.
we have to actually want to go to church.
we have to have the need to be wanted by God.
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