the heart condition.

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

We live in a culture that constantly tells us to “follow your heart” or “listen to your heart.” And yet, the Bible never says that. Instead, it tells us to guard our hearts, for out of it flow the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

I’m not sure about y’all — but me? I grew up on Disney. Pocahontas was probably in my top 5 Disney movies as a kid (setting aside the way it glossed over the harsh realities of colonization and the treatment of Native Americans — which, of course, 5-year-old me had no understanding of at the time). I was always drawn to the independence of Disney princesses and how they were encouraged to “follow their hearts.”

One of my favorite scenes was when Pocahontas seeks advice from Grandmother Willow, and during the song, Grandmother Willow tells her, “Listen with your heart, you will understand.” I used to eat that song UP, but the more I reflect on it, Grandmother Willow was lowkey demonic (like a talking tree?! Come on now!). But looking back now, as I’ve grown in my relationship with the Lord, I’ve realized — it should be anything but that!

Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” I had never really considered what it meant to think with my heart, but when you look back at our focus verse—Proverbs 4:23—it becomes clear why we’re commanded to guard it. Can you imagine your thoughts becoming your reality? If you think in your heart that you're "fat" or not good enough, that’s exactly how you’ll begin to see yourself. The same goes for thoughts like “I’ll never find a husband or wife,” or “I’ll never measure up.” Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” But before words ever leave our mouths, they start as thoughts in the heart. So ask yourself: What are you thinking in your heart? Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things—who can understand it?” As followers of Christ, we’re commanded to walk by the Spirit so that we don’t gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). And newsflash: the heart is part of the flesh! Now it makes sense why the psalmist cries out, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). In essence, he’s saying: “God, show me any way my heart is leading me that doesn’t align with You. Reveal where I’m offending You, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Instead of following the ways of the world—telling us to be whoever we want, date whoever we want, or follow wherever our heart leads—we should be following The Way.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. More than anything else, we need to present our hearts to God daily, with that same plea. Think about how often we carry offense in our hearts (I know I’m guilty), and how that offense begins to influence our thoughts—then eventually, our actions—especially toward the person who hurt us. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “You will know them by their fruits.” So if the fruit we’re bearing looks like hate, resentment, bitterness, or unforgiveness, then it may point to a heart issue we need to bring before Jesus. Because we know the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Try replacing each fruit with its opposite. If your behavior is aligning more with the antonyms, then yes—there’s probably a fruit issue, which is really a heart issue. So, let’s pray.

Abba Father,

I thank You that You see us, know us, and understand everything we go through. More than anything, I ask that You guard our hearts, because—just as Your Word says—out of the heart flow the issues of life. I pray for every person reading this: cover them with Your precious Blood and surround them with Your Holy Spirit.

Jesus, You died for us so that we might live for You—not according to the ways of this world or the desires of our flesh, including the deceitfulness of our own hearts. Above all, I ask that You expose the areas of my heart that are unguarded, and lead me in the way everlasting.

In Your most holy name, Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

What I Needed | Chandler Moore | Live In Los Angeles (Official Music Video)