WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.700 Here we are at the beginning of a new year, first Sunday of a new year. 00:00:05.660 --> 00:00:10.380 A lot of people have resolved to get in better physical condition. 00:00:11.460 --> 00:00:12.400 And that's good. 00:00:13.620 --> 00:00:16.080 Now, I don't want to point any fingers or anything like that. 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:23.699 But a lot of us, and I'm one, we do need to get in better physical condition. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:25.839 And it's not just someone who's overweight. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:33.000 You can be, you know, appear to be in good shape and still not really be all that healthy. 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:37.679 We need to be more health conscious. 00:00:38.759 --> 00:00:43.500 And at the top of our list, we need to take better care of our heart. 00:00:44.920 --> 00:00:46.939 You know this. It's no secret. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:53.640 Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in this country and really in the world. 00:00:53.640 --> 00:01:02.780 It is wise for us to pay close attention to the condition of our heart. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:07.200 That organ, this beating inside of our chest right now. 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:13.000 But that's not the only heart we need to be concerned about. 00:01:14.000 --> 00:01:15.719 I want you to look with me. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:16.879 It's going to be on the screen. 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.060 I want you to look at a passage, Proverbs chapter 4. 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:32.899 And it is a great example of how the Bible talks about the kind of heart that every Christian needs to be concerned about. 00:01:34.379 --> 00:01:35.359 Look at it. 00:01:35.539 --> 00:01:38.780 Proverbs chapter 4, verse 23. 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:41.140 He tells us, 00:01:41.739 --> 00:01:45.159 Keep your heart with all vigilance. 00:01:46.079 --> 00:01:49.540 For from it flow the springs of life. 00:01:50.700 --> 00:01:54.000 The ESV, English Standard Version, New American Standard, 00:01:54.579 --> 00:02:00.939 they're being more literal in trying to convey exactly how the Hebrew states it. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:05.560 The NIV is concerned about being accurate for sure. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:12.020 But the NIV puts it a little bit freer like this. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:20.120 Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. 00:02:21.080 --> 00:02:23.080 On this first Sunday of the New Year, 00:02:23.080 --> 00:02:30.480 we need to understand that God considers guarding our hearts 00:02:30.480 --> 00:02:34.040 to be one of the top priorities, 00:02:34.220 --> 00:02:37.080 or should be one of the top priorities of our lives. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:39.280 Think with me. 00:02:39.360 --> 00:02:40.420 Look at the passage. 00:02:42.480 --> 00:02:46.080 One of life's top priorities for us should be 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:52.180 guarding, protecting who we are on the inside. 00:02:52.180 --> 00:02:54.680 What the Bible calls our heart. 00:02:55.379 --> 00:02:56.719 You see, the condition of our heart 00:02:56.719 --> 00:02:58.879 affects everything about us. 00:03:00.920 --> 00:03:04.640 If we took the time to really just interact with one another this morning, 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:05.920 sit down face to face, 00:03:06.180 --> 00:03:09.420 have a conversation with one another in depth 00:03:09.420 --> 00:03:11.740 about some substantive things, 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:15.340 we could figure out 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:18.480 the condition to a certain extent 00:03:18.480 --> 00:03:20.159 of each other's heart. 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:22.079 You see, 00:03:22.740 --> 00:03:23.960 the condition of our heart 00:03:23.960 --> 00:03:24.819 affects our attitude. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:29.340 It affects our words. 00:03:30.479 --> 00:03:31.759 It affects our actions. 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:34.060 The attitude of our heart 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:37.019 affects the kind of relationship 00:03:37.019 --> 00:03:38.259 that we have with God. 00:03:39.519 --> 00:03:40.519 It reflects 00:03:40.519 --> 00:03:41.759 the kind of relationship 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:42.859 that we have 00:03:42.859 --> 00:03:44.319 with other people. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:46.979 what's going on inside us, 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:47.879 the condition of our heart. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:50.139 It affects our own well-being. 00:03:51.400 --> 00:03:51.879 Psychologically, 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:52.759 emotionally, 00:03:53.359 --> 00:03:54.459 and to a certain extent, 00:03:54.579 --> 00:03:55.000 physically. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:58.019 The importance of this kind of 00:03:58.019 --> 00:03:58.819 heart health 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:00.259 that I'm talking about 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:01.359 will become 00:04:01.359 --> 00:04:03.000 more clear 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:04.599 as we look at what Solomon 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:06.680 and other biblical writers 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:07.620 have to say about it. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:09.459 So I want you to pay close attention this morning. 00:04:09.460 --> 00:04:12.640 First Sunday of the new year, 00:04:13.300 --> 00:04:14.760 we're focusing on something 00:04:14.760 --> 00:04:15.960 that God makes clear, 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:18.400 and it'll be even clearer to you 00:04:18.400 --> 00:04:19.199 as we go through this. 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:21.300 God wants you and me 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:21.920 to make 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:24.060 protecting, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:26.040 guarding our hearts 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:28.600 one of the top priorities 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:29.920 of our lives 00:04:29.920 --> 00:04:30.840 every day. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:33.359 I want us to pray together 00:04:33.359 --> 00:04:33.859 and ask God 00:04:33.859 --> 00:04:34.939 to help us to really focus, 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:35.919 take this seriously, 00:04:36.119 --> 00:04:37.619 and listen and learn 00:04:37.619 --> 00:04:38.879 how we can do this. 00:04:38.939 --> 00:04:39.119 Okay? 00:04:39.199 --> 00:04:39.619 Let's pray. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:40.359 Dear God, 00:04:41.719 --> 00:04:43.919 help each one of us 00:04:43.919 --> 00:04:44.779 in this room right now 00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:45.419 to see 00:04:45.419 --> 00:04:49.019 that through this book of wisdom, 00:04:50.299 --> 00:04:52.059 through this wise man, 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:52.659 Solomon, 00:04:53.319 --> 00:04:56.399 you are giving us 00:04:56.399 --> 00:05:00.159 some of the most important 00:05:00.160 --> 00:05:02.260 and helpful counsel 00:05:02.260 --> 00:05:03.260 we could ever receive. 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:07.300 Help us to understand that, 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:09.560 to take it seriously, 00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:12.160 and to put forth the effort 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:13.880 every day 00:05:13.880 --> 00:05:16.720 to guard our heart. 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:19.420 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:20.100 Amen. 00:05:21.460 --> 00:05:22.140 Let's think. 00:05:22.620 --> 00:05:23.460 What does it mean 00:05:23.460 --> 00:05:24.280 to guard our heart 00:05:24.280 --> 00:05:25.160 above all else? 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:26.200 The first thing 00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:27.060 we need to be clear about 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:28.180 is what this word heart 00:05:28.180 --> 00:05:29.300 is referring to 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:30.879 in this passage, 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:32.139 and in a lot of places 00:05:32.139 --> 00:05:33.420 when it's used like this, 00:05:33.699 --> 00:05:34.960 hundreds of places actually 00:05:34.960 --> 00:05:36.040 in the Bible. 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:37.280 A lot of people think 00:05:37.280 --> 00:05:38.139 that when you talk about 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:39.840 guarding your heart, 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:40.740 doing something with your heart, 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:41.340 you're just talking about 00:05:41.340 --> 00:05:41.939 your emotions 00:05:41.939 --> 00:05:42.680 and your feelings. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:43.439 Well, that's not true. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:45.519 It's more than that. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:47.019 When Solomon 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:48.259 and the other biblical writers 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:49.120 use the word heart, 00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:51.259 like we see here, 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:53.840 he's talking about 00:05:53.840 --> 00:05:56.300 the depth of our being. 00:05:56.300 --> 00:05:58.120 He's talking about 00:05:58.120 --> 00:05:59.300 who we really are 00:05:59.300 --> 00:06:00.079 on the inside. 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:01.720 Look at how Chuck Swindoll 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:02.360 describes it. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:03.620 He says it refers 00:06:03.620 --> 00:06:04.819 to our inner being, 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:06.540 our seat of consciousness, 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:08.780 our core of decision making, 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:10.199 the center of our mind, 00:06:10.639 --> 00:06:11.280 our emotions, 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:12.400 and our will. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:15.379 When the Bible uses 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.340 the word heart like this, 00:06:16.420 --> 00:06:17.340 when Solomon says 00:06:17.340 --> 00:06:18.139 guard your heart, 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:19.800 he's talking about 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:21.600 who you are 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:23.519 deep down. 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:26.079 He's talking about 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:27.919 guard your thoughts 00:06:27.919 --> 00:06:28.939 and your attitudes. 00:06:30.539 --> 00:06:31.959 Guard your desires 00:06:31.959 --> 00:06:33.539 and your feelings. 00:06:34.539 --> 00:06:35.259 All of this. 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:36.339 It's comprehensive. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:38.759 Now, I want you to note 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.479 this is not just something 00:06:40.479 --> 00:06:45.819 that we can take casually 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:47.399 because the Bible 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:48.240 doesn't take it casually. 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:51.299 Note what we're told to do. 00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:51.859 We're going to look 00:06:51.859 --> 00:06:52.859 at several things here 00:06:52.860 --> 00:06:54.139 in this one first half 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:54.680 of the verse. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:56.080 The ESV, 00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:56.840 what I'm reading 00:06:56.840 --> 00:06:57.800 and what's on the screen, 00:06:58.180 --> 00:06:59.340 says keep your heart. 00:06:59.780 --> 00:07:00.560 The New American Standard 00:07:00.560 --> 00:07:03.040 says watch over your heart. 00:07:03.480 --> 00:07:04.560 And several translations 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:06.020 like the New International Version 00:07:06.020 --> 00:07:07.840 say guard your heart. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:10.300 Solomon is saying to us 00:07:10.300 --> 00:07:10.720 this morning, 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:12.480 keep a close eye 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:13.800 on your heart. 00:07:14.460 --> 00:07:15.680 Watch it like a hawk. 00:07:16.520 --> 00:07:17.360 Guard it. 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:18.680 Protect it. 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:20.180 That's not all he says. 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:22.720 Look at how we are instructed 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:23.939 to guard our heart. 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:26.500 It says with all vigilance. 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:27.740 New American Standard says 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:29.340 with all diligence. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:31.620 NIV above all else. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:34.519 God considers our heart 00:07:34.519 --> 00:07:36.460 to be crucial 00:07:36.460 --> 00:07:39.840 to our well-being 00:07:39.840 --> 00:07:42.879 in so many dimensions. 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:44.980 listen. 00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:47.019 Guarding our hearts, 00:07:47.659 --> 00:07:48.579 our thoughts, 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:50.579 our desires, 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:52.860 it is vitally important 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:54.199 if we really want to 00:07:54.199 --> 00:07:55.699 please God 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:57.339 and live in close fellowship 00:07:57.339 --> 00:07:57.839 with Him 00:07:57.839 --> 00:08:00.540 and enjoy 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:01.639 healthy relationships 00:08:01.639 --> 00:08:02.379 with other people. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:04.259 Let's think about 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.120 this idea of guarding. 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:06.019 What are you guarding 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:06.600 right now? 00:08:06.600 --> 00:08:09.320 I would say 00:08:09.320 --> 00:08:10.260 that most everyone 00:08:10.260 --> 00:08:10.740 in here, 00:08:10.800 --> 00:08:11.760 when you left home 00:08:11.760 --> 00:08:12.100 this morning, 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:12.680 you made sure 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:13.360 you locked 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:14.879 your house up. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:18.300 I know one man, 00:08:18.720 --> 00:08:20.080 not in this church, 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.860 he is so consumed, 00:08:23.280 --> 00:08:23.920 obsessed 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:25.200 with guarding 00:08:25.200 --> 00:08:25.939 his house. 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:27.340 He's got all kinds 00:08:27.340 --> 00:08:28.439 of security cameras 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:29.820 and everywhere he goes, 00:08:30.080 --> 00:08:31.000 including church 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:31.820 every Sunday morning, 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:32.940 he's sitting there. 00:08:33.180 --> 00:08:33.860 People think 00:08:33.860 --> 00:08:34.879 he's reading the Bible 00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:35.580 with his smartphone. 00:08:35.580 --> 00:08:37.780 He's watching 00:08:37.780 --> 00:08:38.580 his house. 00:08:39.920 --> 00:08:40.860 He's guarding 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:42.220 his stuff 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:42.820 and I'm not 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:43.600 making that up. 00:08:43.620 --> 00:08:44.580 That's a fact. 00:08:46.900 --> 00:08:47.620 You probably 00:08:47.620 --> 00:08:48.840 locked your car. 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:49.740 That's good. 00:08:49.879 --> 00:08:50.379 Wise. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:51.879 If you've got money 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:52.400 in some kind of 00:08:52.400 --> 00:08:53.520 financial institution 00:08:53.520 --> 00:08:54.960 and you do anything 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:55.620 with it, 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:56.580 you take care of it, 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:57.400 manage it mainly 00:08:57.400 --> 00:08:58.820 online, 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:00.240 that, 00:09:00.780 --> 00:09:01.600 your money's 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:03.020 password protected 00:09:03.020 --> 00:09:03.900 at least 00:09:03.900 --> 00:09:05.400 in two different ways. 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:07.180 Even if you don't 00:09:07.180 --> 00:09:08.320 bank or do 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:09.160 things online, 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.200 you don't leave 00:09:10.200 --> 00:09:10.820 your bank 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:12.360 passwords just 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.100 lying around 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:13.600 where anybody 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.259 and everyone 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:14.820 can come in 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.300 and see it, 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:15.580 do you? 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:16.780 We protect 00:09:16.780 --> 00:09:17.300 our money. 00:09:18.900 --> 00:09:19.740 Let's think about 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:20.200 something even 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:20.759 more important. 00:09:21.420 --> 00:09:21.860 If you have 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:22.780 children at home 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:24.259 or if you have 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:24.960 children like 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.540 grandchildren, 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:27.000 nieces and nephews 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:27.960 that come into 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:28.440 your home, 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:30.280 don't you try 00:09:30.280 --> 00:09:30.900 to protect 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:31.320 them? 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:33.160 You don't let 00:09:33.160 --> 00:09:33.640 your little 00:09:33.640 --> 00:09:34.360 children just 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:35.820 turn on the TV 00:09:35.820 --> 00:09:36.560 and watch 00:09:36.560 --> 00:09:37.860 whatever they 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:38.480 want to watch, 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:39.800 whatever's there, 00:09:39.880 --> 00:09:40.240 do you? 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.120 Surely not. 00:09:42.580 --> 00:09:43.300 You don't let 00:09:43.300 --> 00:09:44.000 your children 00:09:44.000 --> 00:09:44.680 just have 00:09:44.680 --> 00:09:46.400 absolute free 00:09:46.400 --> 00:09:47.320 access to 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:48.180 anything under 00:09:48.180 --> 00:09:48.760 the sun they 00:09:48.760 --> 00:09:49.360 want to look at 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:49.900 online. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.939 You don't leave 00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:56.019 guns just out 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:56.439 in the open, 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:57.340 a loaded gun 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:57.819 just where they 00:09:57.819 --> 00:09:58.559 can walk by 00:09:58.559 --> 00:09:59.539 and look at it, 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:00.279 play with it, 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:00.860 or anything like 00:10:00.860 --> 00:10:01.100 that. 00:10:03.819 --> 00:10:04.659 Things that we 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:07.120 value, we 00:10:07.120 --> 00:10:09.019 guard, we 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:09.860 protect. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:11.000 All of us do 00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:11.120 it. 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.199 We are right 00:10:12.199 --> 00:10:13.000 now in some 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:14.720 way familiar 00:10:14.720 --> 00:10:15.559 with what Solomon 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.579 is saying here 00:10:16.579 --> 00:10:18.159 about we're 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:19.879 guarding children. 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:21.100 another person, 00:10:21.459 --> 00:10:22.259 money, house, 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:22.980 something. 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:26.500 What Solomon 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.159 is telling us 00:10:27.159 --> 00:10:27.539 here now, 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.500 in no way 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:31.459 is the Bible 00:10:31.459 --> 00:10:32.299 or would God 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:33.139 minimize the 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:33.720 importance of 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:34.279 guarding your 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:35.939 stuff, protecting 00:10:35.939 --> 00:10:36.679 the people that 00:10:36.679 --> 00:10:37.199 you're responsible 00:10:37.199 --> 00:10:37.480 for. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:38.220 That's important. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:39.699 But on top of 00:10:39.699 --> 00:10:41.039 that, above 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.120 all else, 00:10:44.500 --> 00:10:45.600 guard your 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.019 heart. 00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:48.100 Now let's 00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:48.460 think about 00:10:48.460 --> 00:10:48.699 that. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:52.000 Do you 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:52.759 guard what 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.179 comes into 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:53.840 your mind, 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:55.600 what comes 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.059 into your 00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:57.120 heart, what 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:57.480 comes into 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.159 your life, 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:58.539 what you 00:10:58.539 --> 00:10:59.139 think about, 00:10:59.220 --> 00:10:59.480 what you 00:10:59.480 --> 00:10:59.939 dwell on, 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:00.220 what you 00:11:00.220 --> 00:11:00.679 desire? 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:02.740 Do you 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.559 guard it as 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:06.980 carefully, as 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:08.740 faithfully, as 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:10.679 diligently as you 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:11.199 do this other 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:11.679 stuff? 00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:14.120 or these important 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:14.839 people in your 00:11:14.839 --> 00:11:15.139 life? 00:11:16.620 --> 00:11:17.259 That's where we 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:17.679 need to start 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:18.039 at this point. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:18.959 That's how 00:11:18.959 --> 00:11:20.359 serious God is 00:11:20.359 --> 00:11:21.159 in telling us to 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:21.819 guard our hearts 00:11:21.819 --> 00:11:23.120 above all else, 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.299 with all diligence, 00:11:24.599 --> 00:11:25.759 with all vigilance. 00:11:26.219 --> 00:11:27.500 We cannot guard 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.500 our hearts 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.739 enough. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:30.839 Now, 00:11:30.839 --> 00:11:32.939 it may be that we 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:33.419 don't guard our 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:33.939 hearts like we 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:34.620 should because we 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.019 don't understand why 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.219 it's so important. 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:38.940 So let's answer 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:39.700 another question. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:41.399 Why should I guard 00:11:41.399 --> 00:11:41.779 my heart? 00:11:42.300 --> 00:11:42.940 Why should I do 00:11:42.940 --> 00:11:43.060 it? 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:43.700 Well, Solomon 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:44.279 answers that 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.080 question with the 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.220 next phrase. 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:46.860 Look at it. 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.360 For from it flow 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:49.540 the springs of 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:49.960 life. 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:50.860 That's how the 00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.460 English Standard 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:52.360 Version and the 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.060 New American Standard 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:53.920 translate that. 00:11:54.540 --> 00:11:55.779 The idea is like 00:11:55.779 --> 00:11:56.660 this. 00:11:57.040 --> 00:11:57.899 Our heart 00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:59.980 produces a 00:11:59.980 --> 00:12:01.080 stream of water. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:02.240 To use that 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:02.639 illustration. 00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:03.379 It's like our 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:04.360 heart produces a 00:12:04.360 --> 00:12:05.379 stream of water 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:06.660 that continuously 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:08.579 flows out from 00:12:08.579 --> 00:12:09.919 us and into the 00:12:09.919 --> 00:12:10.600 lives of other 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:10.919 people. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:14.000 The NIV says it 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:14.439 this way. 00:12:14.699 --> 00:12:15.539 For everything you 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.939 do flows from 00:12:16.939 --> 00:12:17.179 it. 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:20.139 Here's the idea. 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.639 Whatever is in 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.500 our hearts, 00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:27.919 whatever we're 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:28.639 dwelling on, 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.360 whatever is 00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.860 concerning us, 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:34.139 whatever it is 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:34.899 we're focused on, 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:37.639 that is having an 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.480 effect on people 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:39.279 around us. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:41.039 What's in our 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:42.240 heart is flowing 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:44.639 out from us 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:46.000 and it's touching 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:47.120 the lives of your 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.779 family members, 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.500 your friends, 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:49.179 people you work 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:49.620 with, people you 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.399 go to school with, 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:51.100 whether you're 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.500 conscious of it or 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.039 not. 00:12:54.459 --> 00:12:55.000 I want you to look 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:55.579 at something Jesus 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:57.919 said about how 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.919 that which is within 00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.899 us flows out. 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.299 He explained it in 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:02.179 Luke chapter 6 00:13:02.179 --> 00:13:03.939 verse 45 very 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.320 clearly. 00:13:05.160 --> 00:13:05.740 Look at it. 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.440 The good person 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.480 out of the good 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.240 treasure of his 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:09.900 heart produces 00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:11.540 good and the 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.700 evil person out 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.440 of his evil 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:14.440 treasure produces 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:15.300 evil. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.300 For out of the 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:17.420 abundance of the 00:13:17.420 --> 00:13:18.800 heart his mouth 00:13:18.800 --> 00:13:20.040 speaks. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.500 I want you to 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.900 think about some 00:13:24.900 --> 00:13:25.600 of the conversations 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.400 you've had this 00:13:26.400 --> 00:13:27.080 past week. 00:13:27.900 --> 00:13:28.640 Think about some 00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:29.180 of the conversations 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:30.220 you've had with 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:31.040 your family members 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:31.460 there in your 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:31.700 home. 00:13:32.960 --> 00:13:34.900 Both good and 00:13:34.900 --> 00:13:35.700 not so good. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:36.960 Think about some 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:37.379 of the things you 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:37.879 and your buddies 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.400 have talked about, 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:38.720 some of your 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:39.300 friends have talked 00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:39.519 about. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.360 Think about some 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.860 of the things, 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.580 topics, 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.379 attitudes that have 00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.259 come forth as 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:46.840 you've talked with 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.519 your co-workers. 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:52.320 That which we have 00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:53.440 spoken of, 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.280 been excited about, 00:13:55.800 --> 00:13:57.139 been angry about, 00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.819 that which we have 00:13:58.819 --> 00:14:00.159 emphasized this 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:00.899 past week. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.879 It has revealed the 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:05.539 condition of our 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:05.860 heart. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.779 The attitudes we 00:14:08.779 --> 00:14:11.279 display, the words 00:14:11.279 --> 00:14:13.659 that we speak, are a 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.659 good indication of 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:16.059 how seriously we have 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:17.679 taken this command to 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:19.179 guard our hearts 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.159 above all else. 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:23.980 Now, I want to 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.719 pause here for a 00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:24.899 moment. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.620 Think about what 00:14:27.620 --> 00:14:28.679 Jesus is saying in 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:29.360 this verse, the 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.139 first part of it. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.519 The good person, 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:33.139 out of the good 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.659 treasure of his 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:35.319 heart, produces 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:35.799 good. 00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:36.860 Now, I'm sure 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.319 there's people in 00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:37.860 this room, you're 00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.980 thinking, well, I 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.500 thought the Bible 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.199 only talked about 00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:40.939 our hearts being 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:41.480 evil. 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:45.179 And may have 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:45.740 come to your mind 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.419 a verse like 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:47.879 Jeremiah 17, 9. 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:48.379 Look at it. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.820 The heart is 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.559 deceitful above 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:52.080 all things and 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:53.740 desperately sick. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:55.600 Who can understand 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:55.860 it? 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.820 Jeremiah is 00:14:58.820 --> 00:15:00.240 pointing out how 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.179 we are all born 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:01.740 with a sinful 00:15:01.740 --> 00:15:02.200 nature. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:07.679 How sin has 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.700 corrupted everything 00:15:08.700 --> 00:15:09.720 about us, the way 00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:10.600 that we think. 00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:13.259 Sin causes us to 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.139 be selfish and 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.639 self-centered. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.039 Think more in 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:17.480 terms of how I can 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.059 live life. 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.839 my way to 00:15:18.839 --> 00:15:19.519 please me instead 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.239 of God's way to 00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:20.959 please him or 00:15:20.959 --> 00:15:21.459 even to please 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:22.119 other people. 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.359 There is much 00:15:25.359 --> 00:15:27.779 evil about us and 00:15:27.779 --> 00:15:29.000 our hearts in no 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.859 way are pure because 00:15:30.859 --> 00:15:31.500 we're born with a 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.459 sinful nature that 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:33.659 taints, that 00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:36.079 corrupts, that 00:15:36.079 --> 00:15:38.479 poisons every 00:15:38.479 --> 00:15:39.439 aspect of our 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.359 lives to some 00:15:40.359 --> 00:15:41.019 degree, not 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.519 totally, obviously. 00:15:44.359 --> 00:15:44.919 But what I want 00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.619 us to understand is 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.960 what Jeremiah says 00:15:46.960 --> 00:15:48.240 in 17.9 about the 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.000 heart being deceitful 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.620 above all things, 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.360 that's not all he 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:50.720 says. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:52.500 I want you to look 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:52.879 with me at 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.060 Jeremiah 31 verse 00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:54.519 33. 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.679 He describes how 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:58.139 one day God's 00:15:58.139 --> 00:15:58.980 going to do a new 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.320 work in people. 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.100 He's talking about 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.840 the new covenant, 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.440 the New Testament 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:02.879 times. 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.340 Jeremiah is looking 00:16:04.340 --> 00:16:05.139 forward to the day 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.039 when Jesus would 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.240 come, the Messiah 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.740 would come, he 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:11.180 would come and 00:16:11.180 --> 00:16:12.759 save people through 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:13.259 his death and 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.720 resurrection. 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.160 He would send 00:16:14.160 --> 00:16:14.759 back into heaven, 00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.320 he would send 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.180 his Holy Spirit 00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:18.840 and this is 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.500 something that was 00:16:19.500 --> 00:16:20.759 going to be in 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.160 the future, 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.279 Jeremiah prophesied 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:22.540 about. 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.019 Look at it. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.500 I will put my law 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:26.139 within them and I 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.980 will write it on 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.519 their hearts and I 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.500 will be their God 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.000 and they shall be 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.680 my people. 00:16:33.300 --> 00:16:34.320 The heart, just 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.120 like Jesus says, 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.420 there's good in it 00:16:36.420 --> 00:16:37.580 and there's evil in 00:16:37.580 --> 00:16:37.720 it. 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.840 Wayne Grudem, 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.460 great Baptist 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:42.060 theologian, he 00:16:42.060 --> 00:16:42.800 does a good job of 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.019 explaining how a 00:16:44.019 --> 00:16:44.939 Christian's heart can 00:16:44.939 --> 00:16:46.740 produce good things 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:48.079 as well as the evil. 00:16:48.359 --> 00:16:48.919 Look at some of the 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:49.519 things he says. 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:50.699 He says several 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:51.500 verses in the New 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.979 Testament speak in a 00:16:52.979 --> 00:16:54.459 quite positive way 00:16:54.459 --> 00:16:55.539 about the condition of 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.019 our hearts. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:56.959 If we've been born 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:58.240 again, there is a 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.919 goodness to them that 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.079 has to be protected. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.379 That's why Solomon 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:03.579 says, guard your heart. 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.859 Look at what Grudem, 00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.960 he cites some New 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.839 Testament passages. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:09.559 Look at Romans 5, 5. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:11.740 God's love has been 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:13.039 poured into our hearts 00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.099 through the Holy Spirit 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.179 who has been given to 00:17:15.179 --> 00:17:15.519 us. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:17.299 When God saves us, when 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:18.460 God does this work of 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.639 regeneration, he puts 00:17:19.639 --> 00:17:22.019 his spirit in us and you 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.039 can even think, he puts 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.019 his spirit in our heart, 00:17:24.159 --> 00:17:25.359 in our inmost being. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.000 And then the verse says 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.019 God's love has been 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:29.859 poured into our hearts. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:31.099 So if God's love has 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.740 been poured into our 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.500 hearts and the spirit 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.899 indwells us, there is 00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:36.000 good within every 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.379 Christian. 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.619 Look what else he says 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.699 in Romans 6, 17. 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:39.879 You have become 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:41.359 obedient from the heart 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:43.319 to the standard of 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.339 teaching to which you 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:44.899 are committed. 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:47.779 Grudem is pointing out 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.799 here in this passage 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:51.099 that Paul thinks some 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:51.959 of these Christians, 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:55.159 they're truly loving God 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:56.559 and obeying God from 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.359 their heart. 00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:58.599 They're genuine. 00:17:59.739 --> 00:18:01.019 Some Christians have 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.939 this idea, God's never 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:03.899 satisfied with me. 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:04.919 God can never be 00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.519 pleased with me. 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:06.339 Well, that's wrong. 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:10.559 We can know God and 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.679 love him, have a close 00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.899 relationship with him 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.079 where he accepts us 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.319 because of our being 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:16.259 united to Jesus. 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:18.559 And he is pleased with 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:20.659 us when we obey him. 00:18:21.159 --> 00:18:22.019 Look at one more. 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.519 1 John 3, 21. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.739 Beloved, if our heart 00:18:24.739 --> 00:18:26.619 does not condemn us, we 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.699 have confidence before 00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:28.019 God. 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:31.079 Now, Grudem goes on to 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.959 say, however, that's not 00:18:31.959 --> 00:18:32.619 the whole New Testament 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.039 story. 00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:34.679 James warns Christians 00:18:34.679 --> 00:18:35.639 about some things that 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.519 can go wrong in their 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:36.779 hearts. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.399 Now, look at this. 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.539 Look at both sides of 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:38.980 the story. 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:41.180 If you have bitter 00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:42.259 jealousy and selfish 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:42.980 ambition in your 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.920 hearts, do not boast 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:47.720 and be false to the 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.059 truth. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.000 James is just pointing 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.119 out the reality. 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:55.960 As a Christian, we can 00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.619 still have bad attitudes. 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.460 We can be bitter. 00:18:58.579 --> 00:18:59.440 We can be jealous. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:02.139 We can have nothing but 00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:03.440 selfish ambition. 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.599 We want to run over 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:04.940 everybody. 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:06.600 We want to be better 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.160 than everybody. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.500 We want to put people 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:08.980 down. 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.420 We want to walk on them 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.000 if necessary. 00:19:11.320 --> 00:19:12.000 We can do that. 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:14.259 We do that sometimes. 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.360 When our heart is filled 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:20.200 with sin and selfishness. 00:19:20.340 --> 00:19:21.240 James is saying it. 00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:21.779 Look out. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.580 Verse 4, chapter 4, verse 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.339 says, purify your hearts. 00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:27.379 He says, you double-minded. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:30.000 Sometimes our hearts are 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.480 not pure. 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:32.659 A lot of times they're not. 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:33.419 Isn't that right? 00:19:34.699 --> 00:19:35.699 Grudem continues. 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:37.019 So, even though the New 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.980 Testament talks about our 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.980 hearts as having been 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:40.079 cleansed when we're born 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.939 again, James says you can 00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:43.259 have bitter jealousy in 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.099 your heart as a Christian. 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.379 You can have selfish 00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:45.879 ambition. 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:48.280 And you can be double-minded. 00:19:49.060 --> 00:19:51.320 And so, while our hearts 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:53.200 aren't perfect, there is a 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:55.160 goodness in them by Jesus' 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:57.580 work within us that needs to 00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:59.820 be protected and guarded. 00:20:00.780 --> 00:20:02.640 Keep your heart with all 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:08.220 vigilance because it can go 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.880 astray. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:12.280 Let's come back to what we 00:20:12.280 --> 00:20:13.620 looked at a moment ago. 00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:16.320 We need to make, every one 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:17.440 of us need to make guarding 00:20:17.440 --> 00:20:19.040 our heart our highest 00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:20.540 priority, one of the highest 00:20:20.540 --> 00:20:21.760 priorities in our lives. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.620 Because the condition of our 00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:27.340 heart determines how we 00:20:27.340 --> 00:20:30.700 think, how we speak, how we 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.460 act. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:34.940 And Jesus makes that painfully 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:37.860 clear in His explanation of 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:40.819 the source of some of our 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:42.199 sinful attitudes and words 00:20:42.199 --> 00:20:42.579 and actions. 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.339 I want you to look at what 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.519 Jesus said in Mark 7. 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:47.459 For from within, out of the 00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:49.819 heart of man come evil 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:52.319 thoughts, sexual immorality, 00:20:52.859 --> 00:20:55.299 theft, murder, adultery, 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:58.159 coveting, wickedness, deceit, 00:20:58.679 --> 00:21:01.419 sensuality, envy, slander, 00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:03.539 pride, foolishness. 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:05.579 All these evil things come from 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:08.879 within and they defile a 00:21:08.879 --> 00:21:09.199 person. 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.619 We don't like to think about 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:16.019 this, but we need to. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:21.319 The truth is, if we have 00:21:21.319 --> 00:21:23.919 problems with selfishness, 00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:30.559 with lust, with greed, with 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:33.779 gossip, and all these kinds of 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:38.919 things, it's because those are 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:40.799 the attitudes and the feelings 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:43.960 that's within us. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:48.480 That's where it comes from. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:53.039 That's not all that's in us, 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.919 within us we're Christians. 00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:57.680 We've seen there's some good 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.740 things that God has done in us. 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:02.279 But we cannot deny the truth 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:06.420 about sin in our heart when it 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:12.060 comes out so clearly, so loudly 00:22:12.060 --> 00:22:16.000 in our words, in our actions, and 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.600 in our attitudes. 00:22:17.840 --> 00:22:21.259 Now, we don't always mean all the 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.400 things that we say. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:26.819 Sometimes we say hurtful things, 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.640 painful things. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.640 Sometimes we mistreat another 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:33.579 person, not because we really have 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:37.339 a problem with them, but because of 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:39.279 the problem that's going on inside of 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.740 us. 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:44.039 Sometimes our anger toward another 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:47.180 person, it's not really about them, 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:50.500 or what they have done or said. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.039 What happens, what they did or said 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:56.400 triggered something within our 00:22:56.400 --> 00:23:01.620 hearts that caused us to erupt like 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:05.440 a volcano all over them. 00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:09.380 You know, we're all good at playing 00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.500 the blame game, aren't we? 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:13.700 I'm sure some of you in this room, 00:23:13.860 --> 00:23:14.900 I've thought it, said it. 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:19.740 My parents caused me a, it's my 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.900 parents' fault that I have the 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:22.700 attitude I have sometimes to say 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.740 some of the things that I say. 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:27.140 Or it's that certain person. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.940 They just bring out the worst in me. 00:23:29.540 --> 00:23:30.800 They provoke me. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.240 They make me mad. 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.220 No. 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.160 No. 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:38.420 Your spouse is not your problem. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.480 Your child is not your problem. 00:23:39.540 --> 00:23:40.360 Your parent is not your problem. 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.880 Your friend is not your problem. 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:46.840 They may trigger some emotions. 00:23:47.260 --> 00:23:49.380 They may trigger some desires, 00:23:49.540 --> 00:23:51.200 some feelings, some attitudes. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.920 But what's coming out of your mouth, 00:23:54.520 --> 00:23:58.200 what you are demonstrating with your life, 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:00.080 it comes from within. 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.660 It's a heart problem. 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:05.700 It's your inner heart problem 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:08.140 that is the source of all this 00:24:08.140 --> 00:24:10.140 Jesus says. 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:14.180 Sometimes an explosion 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.920 of anger, 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.940 of profanity, 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.860 of hatefulness. 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.580 Sometimes it comes out 00:24:22.580 --> 00:24:24.580 because of the spiritual battles 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:27.060 that are raging within us. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:30.259 The first thing that probably comes to your mind, 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.080 mine too, 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.620 is sometimes 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:34.400 God's working in us, 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.259 convicting us of a certain sin 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.300 that we need to confess, 00:24:37.360 --> 00:24:38.259 we need to repent of, 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.599 some things in our life 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.420 that needs to change, 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.740 and we just won't do it. 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.259 But if we're really Christians 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:46.140 and the Spirit of God lives within us, 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:47.799 He's not leaving us alone. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.259 He's making our life miserable. 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:51.119 He's putting the pressure on us 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:52.420 to cause us 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.440 to be so miserable, 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:54.240 so uncomfortable 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.799 that we will forsake it. 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:57.359 We will seek God's forgiveness. 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.279 We will repent. 00:24:59.099 --> 00:24:59.980 We will seek God's help 00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.700 to overcome it. 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:03.200 And that may be what 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.860 your problem is. 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.580 It's not a problem 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.480 with anybody in your life. 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.279 It's you 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:12.519 and your unwillingness 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:14.880 to humble yourself before God, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.299 to admit the problem, 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:17.120 admit the sin, 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.799 and respond the way 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.620 you know He wants you to. 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:21.519 But on the other hand, 00:25:21.580 --> 00:25:22.500 it could be, 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:24.500 it's not a bad thing, 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.340 it could be that God's dealing with you 00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:26.960 about something 00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:28.420 that He wants you to do. 00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.539 And you know you need to do it. 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:35.319 But you just won't. 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:40.200 The best example I've known of this, 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.380 I have a friend, 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.700 many years ago, 00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.940 when he was an older teenager, 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.980 his mother told this story. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:51.019 His dad was winding up 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:52.740 a 20-year military career. 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:55.559 This was a committed Christian family. 00:25:55.559 --> 00:25:58.039 The father, 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.960 winding up his 20 years, 00:26:01.339 --> 00:26:01.940 going to retire 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:03.159 from military service, 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.759 and he was, 00:26:05.960 --> 00:26:07.039 God was dealing with him 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:09.119 about him going 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.899 into the preaching ministry. 00:26:12.240 --> 00:26:13.339 He was struggling 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:13.940 over whether or not 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.079 God was calling him to preach, 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.159 and he really believed 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:17.319 that he was deep down, 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.039 but I don't know 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.399 if he was really wanting 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.460 to do it at the time, 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:22.659 or make the commitment 00:26:22.659 --> 00:26:23.299 at the time, 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.819 and there was a lot of frustration 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.480 in his life. 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.179 One day, 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.200 this man, 00:26:28.299 --> 00:26:29.679 this faithful Christian man, 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.200 in whom God's working, 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.779 calling him to preach, 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.659 40-something years old, 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.159 one day, 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:38.419 he just erupts in anger 00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.039 and just explodes 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:41.879 all over that older teenage boy. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:43.859 It's happened so much, 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.220 and they know what's going on, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.879 and that boy looks at his dad 00:26:46.879 --> 00:26:47.220 and says, 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.559 Dad, 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.440 when are you going to surrender 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.720 to God's call to preach 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:52.299 so we can have peace 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.059 in this family? 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:55.980 And that was really 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.120 one of the turning points. 00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.819 But what I'm saying is, 00:26:59.079 --> 00:27:00.279 it could be that God's 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.319 working in your life 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.559 wanting you to do something, 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.440 to teach, 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:05.200 to go on a mission trip, 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:08.059 to do something 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.559 that's very positive and good. 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.960 It's not a sin issue. 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:12.100 It's a sin because you're not 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:12.660 obeying him, 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.039 but it's a good thing. 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:16.039 And you're frustrated 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:17.579 because you just won't 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:18.339 trust God. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.079 You won't get out 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.879 of your comfort zone. 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.440 You won't step out in faith. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.440 And so it could be 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:26.319 that your whole problem 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.240 with your heart 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:29.339 is you just need to say yes 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.379 and cooperate with God 00:27:30.379 --> 00:27:31.379 and move on 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:33.059 and do what it is 00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.000 He's wanting you to do. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:39.259 We need to listen 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:41.180 to Solomon's wise counsel 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:43.819 above all else. 00:27:44.879 --> 00:27:46.500 Guard your heart. 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.039 Guard your heart 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.039 because what's going on 00:27:50.039 --> 00:27:50.839 inside you 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:53.299 will flow like a river 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.819 from your heart 00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:56.480 into the lives 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.960 of everybody around you. 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.139 You know, this may be, 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.639 this may help explain 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.500 why sometimes 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.920 we mistreat those 00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:07.339 we are closest to 00:28:07.339 --> 00:28:09.759 more than anyone else 00:28:09.759 --> 00:28:10.399 in our lives. 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:13.619 It may be that we mistreat 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.759 people closest to us 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:16.679 because they can't 00:28:16.679 --> 00:28:17.759 get out of the way 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:19.919 of what's flowing 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.619 out of our hearts 00:28:21.179 --> 00:28:24.299 when other people can. 00:28:26.359 --> 00:28:27.039 And that doesn't 00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:28.239 excuse our behavior 00:28:28.239 --> 00:28:30.759 but it may help us 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.339 understand it 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.819 a little bit better. 00:28:32.959 --> 00:28:33.779 Let's answer one more 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.699 question very quickly. 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:35.839 How can I guard my heart? 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.659 Since Solomon tells us 00:28:37.659 --> 00:28:38.219 to guard our heart, 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.059 we know we can. 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:41.059 God doesn't call us, 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.799 doesn't tell us 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.339 to do anything 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:43.399 that he won't give us 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.779 the ability to do. 00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.740 Well, Solomon describes 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.599 some of the ways 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.460 that we need to guard 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:49.899 our heart, 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:51.099 how we can, 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.899 in the remainder 00:28:51.899 --> 00:28:52.919 of this chapter, 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:55.079 verses 24 through 27. 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.839 But right now, 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.859 I want to just look at two 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:58.399 as we wind this message up. 00:28:59.099 --> 00:29:00.139 One way to guard our heart 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:01.099 is to keep it pure. 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:05.439 Don't pollute your heart. 00:29:06.379 --> 00:29:07.699 It could be that there's people 00:29:07.699 --> 00:29:09.259 or a person in your life 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:11.159 whose presence, 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:13.259 whose influence, 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:18.419 it really pollutes your heart. 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:21.359 And what you need to do 00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:23.919 is you need to recognize that 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:25.959 and move away from them. 00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.539 Don't let them be a part 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.039 of your life. 00:29:30.039 --> 00:29:31.899 Or if you can't help it, 00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:34.899 they may live close to you. 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:37.639 You may have to work with them. 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.639 If that's the case, 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.240 what you need to do 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.980 is to consciously recognize 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:43.960 that person 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:47.000 is a bad influence 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.240 on me. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.339 And so I'm going to be 00:29:50.339 --> 00:29:51.839 on guard constantly 00:29:51.839 --> 00:29:54.000 and not let them 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.960 corrupt my heart. 00:29:56.639 --> 00:29:57.759 Don't admire them. 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.759 Everybody else may. 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.039 Don't admire them. 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:04.299 Don't follow their example. 00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:08.680 Let their attitudes 00:30:08.680 --> 00:30:10.139 and let their words 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:12.899 become offensive to you. 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.480 Don't let them 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:21.059 have the wrong kind of influence 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.319 on you. 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:24.359 And maybe you know 00:30:24.359 --> 00:30:25.839 that there are other factors 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:27.319 that pollute your heart. 00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:29.159 Certain types of movies 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.980 or TV shows 00:30:29.980 --> 00:30:31.339 or internet websites 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:33.240 or books 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.079 or music. 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.200 You know, 00:30:36.439 --> 00:30:38.139 you know what 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:40.599 helps you 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:42.619 to be a better Christian, 00:30:42.759 --> 00:30:44.259 helps you to love God more, 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:45.200 to think of Him more, 00:30:45.419 --> 00:30:46.559 to want to do His will more. 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:47.679 You know what helps you 00:30:47.679 --> 00:30:48.679 to want to love people 00:30:48.679 --> 00:30:49.839 and be patient with people 00:30:49.839 --> 00:30:51.159 and serve people more. 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:53.379 And you know what 00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:53.960 causes you 00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:55.319 to not even think about God. 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.059 You know what causes you 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:58.039 to be rebellious, 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:58.919 to have an attitude, 00:30:59.659 --> 00:31:01.099 to separate yourself 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:02.079 from God's people, 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:03.440 to separate yourself 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.919 from godly people. 00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.139 I don't know what 00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:08.059 it might be for you, 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.740 but you know 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.700 what it is for you. 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.299 God, 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:13.279 guard your heart 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:13.980 from anything 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:15.819 that hinders you 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:18.519 from having a close 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.640 and growing relationship 00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.240 with the Lord 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:22.019 and having healthy relationships 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.400 with the people in your life 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:24.400 that you should have 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:26.460 healthy relationships with. 00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:27.860 You know, 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.660 anyone who writes 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.580 on this subject 00:31:29.580 --> 00:31:30.759 of guarding our heart 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:32.000 or growing as a Christian, 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.860 they're going to stress 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.340 the importance 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:34.740 of personal Bible study 00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:35.240 and prayer. 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.440 And that's sort of a given. 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:40.279 There's absolutely 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:41.000 no substitute 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.899 if we're going to 00:31:41.899 --> 00:31:42.579 guard our hearts 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.240 from spending time 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.740 with our Lord, 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:48.519 developing a growing 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.799 close relationship 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.339 with God 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.559 by talking to Him 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.299 on a regular basis 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.859 in prayer, 00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:55.259 by listening to Him 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.359 as we read His Word 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.639 and He's talking to us, 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.859 and then putting it 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.539 into practice. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.480 Not just getting up 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.819 in the morning 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.500 and having devotion, 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:05.579 but learning to live 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.500 in a conscious awareness 00:32:06.500 --> 00:32:07.420 of God's presence, 00:32:07.700 --> 00:32:08.579 learning just to talk 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:08.899 to Him 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:09.899 as we just go down the road, 00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.800 as we live life, 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:12.940 learning to think about 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:14.800 the truth of His Word 00:32:14.800 --> 00:32:15.580 like what we're looking 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.120 at this morning. 00:32:17.540 --> 00:32:18.320 Guard your heart. 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:20.960 Guard your heart. 00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.640 I want to encourage you 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.180 right now 00:32:25.180 --> 00:32:28.840 to examine your heart 00:32:28.840 --> 00:32:31.300 and determine 00:32:31.300 --> 00:32:32.340 what condition it's in. 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:35.120 To do that, 00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.580 I want you to think 00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:36.819 about your overall attitude 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:38.460 toward God. 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:40.519 What do you really 00:32:40.519 --> 00:32:41.099 think about Him? 00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:42.279 How do you think about Him? 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.279 What's your overall attitude 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:45.539 just toward life? 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.779 Toward the people around you? 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:50.099 Toward your spouse? 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:50.859 Toward your children? 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.740 Toward your parents? 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.259 What's your overall attitude 00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:55.019 toward the people 00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.579 you work with? 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:56.359 Toward your job? 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.059 Toward school? 00:32:57.059 --> 00:32:57.240 Toward school? 00:32:57.240 --> 00:33:01.460 Think about the conversations 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.779 you've had this past week. 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.000 Think about 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:07.480 the way you have spoken 00:33:07.480 --> 00:33:08.579 to people 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:11.620 in your home 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.140 and at work. 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.500 Think about the kinds of things 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.900 you have talked about, 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.019 laughed about, 00:33:16.359 --> 00:33:17.099 cried about, 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:19.180 been serious about, 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.960 been flippant and casual about. 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.279 Now, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:26.039 what do those attitudes 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.160 and those words 00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:28.160 reveal 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:30.279 about the condition 00:33:30.279 --> 00:33:30.860 of your heart? 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.960 Does it reveal 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.940 that your heart's healthy? 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.920 It very well could. 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.160 Does it reveal 00:33:40.160 --> 00:33:41.120 that it is 00:33:41.120 --> 00:33:42.480 somewhat healthy? 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.059 Or as you just think 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.019 back about 00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:47.779 just this past week, 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:48.519 do your attitudes, 00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:50.079 do your words 00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:50.759 reveal that 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:52.519 your heart 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:53.960 is very unhealthy? 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:57.539 What 00:33:57.539 --> 00:33:59.819 what do you need 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.419 to do 00:34:00.419 --> 00:34:01.960 to start 00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:03.139 guarding your heart 00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:05.139 above everything else? 00:34:06.359 --> 00:34:07.159 What do you need 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:07.720 to start 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.699 or stop 00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:10.440 in order 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:11.199 to protect 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:11.980 your heart 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:13.259 or make 00:34:13.259 --> 00:34:14.139 protecting your heart 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:15.179 number one priority? 00:34:16.259 --> 00:34:17.159 If you know, 00:34:17.279 --> 00:34:18.099 then ask God 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:18.699 to help you 00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.299 start doing 00:34:19.299 --> 00:34:19.960 those things 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.740 right now. 00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:22.220 Ask God 00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:23.079 to help you 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.940 to just stay 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.940 focused on Him 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.619 every day, 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.980 to guard your heart 00:34:26.980 --> 00:34:27.599 every day, 00:34:27.800 --> 00:34:28.400 especially in those 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:29.559 situations where you know 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.820 it's going to be difficult. 00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:33.179 Make it not just 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:34.599 a commitment 00:34:34.599 --> 00:34:35.079 this morning, 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:36.039 make it a daily commitment. 00:34:36.199 --> 00:34:36.639 Make it a 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:38.400 make it a part 00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:39.079 of your relationship 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:39.539 with God 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.380 to seek His help 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:40.900 and to seek to 00:34:40.900 --> 00:34:42.380 be obedient to Him 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.720 in such matters. 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:46.959 If you don't know 00:34:46.959 --> 00:34:47.480 what you need 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:47.839 to do, 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:49.639 ask God 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.480 to show you. 00:34:52.339 --> 00:34:52.980 Ask God 00:34:52.980 --> 00:34:53.519 to make it clear 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.299 through His Word. 00:34:56.039 --> 00:34:57.099 Here's something risky. 00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.759 Ask people 00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.859 that you know 00:35:00.859 --> 00:35:02.859 who are faithful Christians, 00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.899 who love you 00:35:03.899 --> 00:35:04.419 and who will tell you 00:35:04.419 --> 00:35:04.699 the truth, 00:35:04.699 --> 00:35:06.259 ask them 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:09.020 what they see 00:35:09.020 --> 00:35:10.840 in your heart 00:35:10.840 --> 00:35:12.940 by living with you, 00:35:13.580 --> 00:35:16.100 by being around you, 00:35:16.620 --> 00:35:17.920 by working with you, 00:35:18.020 --> 00:35:18.920 going to school with you, 00:35:19.020 --> 00:35:19.420 playing, 00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:20.000 doing all, 00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:20.920 doing whatever. 00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:23.360 Ask some people 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.860 that you trust. 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.540 If you don't know, 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.040 you wonder, 00:35:28.180 --> 00:35:29.020 ask some people. 00:35:30.020 --> 00:35:31.460 Based on what we're looking at, 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:34.360 what do you think 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:34.960 the condition 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.699 of my heart 00:35:35.699 --> 00:35:36.679 is right now 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:38.579 based on what you see 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:39.019 in me, 00:35:39.880 --> 00:35:41.019 based on what you hear 00:35:41.019 --> 00:35:42.139 from me? 00:35:44.539 --> 00:35:45.059 You know, 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:45.880 if you're not a Christian 00:35:45.880 --> 00:35:48.920 more than anything else 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.320 this morning, 00:35:50.079 --> 00:35:52.539 you need to understand 00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:53.240 that your heart 00:35:53.240 --> 00:35:54.300 is not right with God. 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.400 It's like what Jeremiah 00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:57.159 talks about, 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:58.300 being evil, 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.840 maybe not the worst 00:35:59.840 --> 00:36:00.340 you could be, 00:36:00.460 --> 00:36:00.579 but 00:36:00.579 --> 00:36:02.699 it's selfish. 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:03.699 It's 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:05.599 not godly. 00:36:06.799 --> 00:36:08.039 And I want to encourage you, 00:36:08.119 --> 00:36:08.799 if that's the case 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.440 and you want 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:11.420 God to change your heart, 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:12.559 admit to Him 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.139 this need, 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:15.119 truly repent of your sin, 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:16.420 change your mind about it, 00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.799 put your trust in Jesus 00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:18.779 that He paid the penalty 00:36:18.779 --> 00:36:19.380 for your sins 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.239 when He died on the cross, 00:36:20.599 --> 00:36:21.279 call upon Him 00:36:21.279 --> 00:36:22.000 to save you, 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:23.279 to change you, 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:25.380 to purify you, 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:27.199 to give you a new heart. 00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.719 Listen to the Lord 00:36:29.719 --> 00:36:30.159 right now. 00:36:30.579 --> 00:36:33.599 Ask Him how you need to respond 00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:35.440 so that you can have 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:37.699 a more healthy, 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:38.880 spiritual, 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:41.099 inner heart 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:44.480 in 2018. 00:36:45.139 --> 00:36:46.039 Let's pray together. 00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:47.940 Dear God, 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:49.679 show us right now 00:36:49.679 --> 00:36:50.739 what we need to do 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:53.500 to please you 00:36:53.500 --> 00:36:56.280 in our response 00:36:56.280 --> 00:36:59.480 and help us to do that. 00:37:00.119 --> 00:37:01.159 In an attitude of prayer, 00:37:01.280 --> 00:37:02.039 you listen to the Lord 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:03.000 and you obey Him. 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.960 Do what He's telling you to do. 00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:08.340 If you would like me to pray with you 00:37:08.340 --> 00:37:08.780 during this time, 00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:09.440 I'll be here at the front 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:10.460 and I would love to do that. 00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:14.380 But listen and obey Him 00:37:14.380 --> 00:37:18.220 resolved by His grace. 00:37:20.220 --> 00:37:21.360 You're going to 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:23.780 guard your heart 00:37:23.780 --> 00:37:26.539 in 2018. 00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.920 Above all things, 00:37:31.800 --> 00:37:33.559 you respond with it. 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.720 His bowed, eyes closed, 00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:35.280 attitude of prayer, 00:37:35.579 --> 00:37:36.760 you respond as God speaks. 00:37:36.760 --> 00:37:38.560 When you arrive to verdade, 00:37:38.560 --> 00:37:40.040 how cute old man since they End Was 00:37:40.040 --> 00:37:40.460 with prayer, 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:41.860 what she should live with you 00:37:41.860 --> 00:37:41.960 and then reorganize again. 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.920 In와 todasIE' 00:37:42.920 --> 00:37:43.200 with skills, 00:37:43.200 --> 00:37:44.880 and women may 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.680 have created, 00:37:45.760 --> 00:37:46.560 like anyone who can find so 00:37:46.560 --> 00:37:47.280 crying today. 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.760 ства Он 00:37:47.760 --> 00:37:48.120 will call us 00:37:48.120 --> 00:37:48.480 in 2019. 00:37:48.600 --> 00:37:49.340 Right, 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:50.260 word of prayer, 00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.080 and we will show you 00:37:51.280 --> 00:37:51.800 how zoe an example.