#1309. Proverbs 4:20–23 – Guard your heart (17/7/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional where we are continuing in our Wisdom for Life series from Proverbs.
Today, from Proverbs 4:20-23, we reflect on how we are to guard our hearts by directing our attention onto what is true.
To watch this devotional, please select the link below
‘My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.’ (Proverbs 4:20-23)
I think that, for many, this would be a favourite proverb. This powerful imagery of our lives being like a river - the health of which depends on the health of its source - is very clear and powerful.
i. What is the heart?
The heart (lev) means the mind, will, understanding, inner part, inclination. It is about our inner selves in regard to what we love and what we desire. The heart - our inner person - is the driver of what we actually do. The heart is like the source of a river - the quality of our lives flows from it.
ii. How do we keep it healthy?
We are urged to ‘guard your heart’. Our hearts are not healthy by accident! We need to actively protect it from what is not healthy and actively expose it to what’s healthy; the author to the Hebrews puts it this way:
‘See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.’ (Hebrews3:12)
Our text gives us the central ways that we guard our heart. The metaphorical father of the passage urges us:
‘My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.’
What we give our attention to is one of the keys to a healthy heart. We cannot control others, we cannot control our feelings, we cannot control many of life’s blows, but we can control our attention. The heart is protected if we attend to our attention. In essence, if we focus on what’s true and worthy, our hearts will be healthy.
iii. What is the outflow of a healthy heart?
Our lives reveal the condition of our hearts. This is, of course, best seen in Jesus whose heart was totally healthy and unmixed. He is the only person who has ever had a pure - unmixed- heart! Like Christ, those who guard their heart will, increasingly do what we read in Matthew:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
To have a healthy heart, to be pure in heart is to desire to obey God from the depths of our being.
In response, throughout this day, let’s be mindful of our attention and thoughts. Let’s replace lies and dishonourable thoughts with what is true.
Let’s pray together
“Forgive me when I’ve not given my attention to your truth; When I attended to and nurtured lies. Help me to guard my heart by attending to what you say. With David, I pray, ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.’ (Psalm 51:10)Amen.”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
Week #6. Proverbs 4:1–27 — Guard your heart.
1. What themes stand out in this week’s section? Identify key ideas and repeated patterns. What is the focus of this section?
2. What promises does God offer, and what warnings does He give? Look for specific encouragements, blessings, or cautions in the text.
3. How does this speak into our lives today? What are the practical ways we could live this out — individually, in our families, in our community?
4. How is God calling you to respond? Consider what this means for your heart, your choices, and your direction.
5. SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
How might the wisdom in this week's section of Proverbs help us to be a light for Jesus?
Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
6. Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.
Pray specifically for the 'people of peace' in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and truth.
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