Chapter 287—Keeping the Heart
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
.
Diligent heart-keeping is essential to a healthy growth in grace. The heart
in its natural state is a habitation for unholy thoughts and sinful passions.
When brought into subjection to Christ, it must be cleansed by the Spirit from
all defilement. This cannot be done without the consent of the individual.
When the soul has been cleansed, it is the duty of the Christian to keep it
undefiled. Many seem to think that the religion of Christ does not call for
the abandonment of daily sins, the breaking loose from habits which have
held the soul in bondage. They renounce some things condemned by the
conscience, but they fail to represent Christ in the daily life. They do not
bring Christlikeness into the home. They do not show a thoughtful care in
their choice of words. Too often, fretful, impatient words are spoken, words
which stir the worst passions of the human heart. Such ones need the abiding
presence of Christ in the soul. Only in His strength can they keep guard over
the words and actions....
Many seem to begrudge moments spent in meditation, and the searching
of the Scriptures, and prayer, as though the time thus occupied was lost. I
wish you could all view these things in the light God would have you for
you would then make the kingdom of heaven of the first importance. To
keep your heart in heaven will give vigor to all your graces, and put life into
all your duties.... As exercise increases the appetite, and gives strength and
healthy vigor to the body, so will devotional exercises bring an increase of
grace and spiritual vigor....
Let the prayer go up to God, “Create in me a clean heart” (
Psalm 51:10
);
for a pure, cleansed soul has Christ abiding therein, and out of the abundance
of the heart are the issues of life. The human will is to be yielded to Christ.
Instead of passing on, closing the heart in selfishness, there is need of
opening the heart to the sweet influences of the Spirit of God. Practical
religion breathes its fragrance everywhere. It is a savor of life unto life.
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