Conclusion of "SAFEGUARD YOUR HEART"

Examine the Condition of Your Heart

Are we successfully safeguarding our figurative heart? How can we know the condition of the inner person?   "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," said Jesus Christ. (Matthew 12:34)  He also stated:  "Out of the heart come wicked reasonings, murders, adulteries, fornications, thievery's, false testimonies, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:19, 20) Yes, our words and our actions speak volumes about what we are at heart. 

Fittingly, Solomon admonishes us:  "Remove yourself the crookedness of speech; and the deviousness of lips put far away from yourself. As for your eyes, straight ahead they should look, yes, you own beaming eyes should gaze straight in front of you. Smooth out the course of your foot, and may all your own ways be firmly established. Do not incline to the right hand or to the left. Remove your foot from what is bad." -Proverbs 4:24-27.

In view of Solomon's admonition, we need to examine our speech and our actions. If we are to safeguard the heart and please God, crooked speech and deviousness must be avoided. (Proverbs 3:32) Therefore, we should prayerfully reflect  on what our words and deeds reveal about us.  Then let us seek Jehovah's help in order to correct any weakness  we detect. -Psalm 139:23, 24. 

Above all, may 'our eyes look straight ahead.' Let us keep them fixed on the goal of rendering whole-souled service to our heavenly Father. (Colossians 3:23)    As you personally pursue  such an upright course, may Jehovah grant you success  in "all your own ways," and may he bless you richly for heeding the inspired counsel to "safeguard your heart." 

Next time: A Luxuriant Olive Tree in the House of God

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000