Guard Your Heart
And Armor Up!!
In Proverbs 4:23, Solomon urges us to guard our hearts above all else, for everything we do flows from it. Proverbs 27:19 and Proverbs 23:7 provide further insights, reminding us that our lives reflect the state of our hearts.
To guard over something means to watch over and protect it from harm. As Christians, we are called to guard our hearts and those things dear to us, including our families.
One practical way to guard our hearts is to “armor up,” as Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:10. This involves putting on the whole armor of God, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
While “armoring up” may be familiar to you (and if not, it’s definitely time to learn more), this can be confusing to your friends or family. As leaders in our families, we have to provide context and explanation so that everyone can understand and apply this daily.
As we armor up and guard our hearts, we must also remain vigilant (and sober) against the enemy, who seeks to devour us. Peter warns us to be alert and sober-minded, always looking to our Father for guidance and protection. Ultimately, our identity should be grounded in our adoption as children of God. We are not meant to walk through life alone, but rather as beloved sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
We were created to live this way – sober and vigilant, living in the Spirit, and looking to our Father when we have needs. The Word is full of this direction, pointing us back to guidance from our Father.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him, we cry, “Abba, Father.”
– Romans 8:14-15 NIV
Let’s encourage each other to know God intimately, as our Father. We are not meant to walk without a father, even if we do here on the earth. We are NOT orphans. Our identity should be grounded in this sonship and our Father’s affirmation (over our purpose and future). We are children of the highest God. Let’s encourage one another on this journey.