Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
— Proverbs 4:23
Have you ever thought about how you think about the way you think about what you think about? Crazy question? Perhaps, but for the Christian seeking to live godly in a godless society, it is a question you may want to give serious consideration.
Affecting every aspect of your life is the lens through which you view life, the filter through which you pour your thoughts, the things you think about. Who you are as a person, how you interact with family, friends and co-workers, how you relate to the world around you, matters of faith, what you believe and why. These and so much more are products of the way you think about the things you think about — your mindset.
In the Bible, the “heart” commonly refers to the mind as the center of thought. It is viewed as the control center of our entire being. Thus, we are told to guard it; not letting in ideologies and philosophies contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture. This is the point of Proverbs 4:23. Understanding it to be a short walk from truth to error, Paul tells Timothy:
guard the deposit (sound doctrine) entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.
— 1 Timothy 6:20–21
As his followers, we are given the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), which means we share in his plans and purposes and have his perspective, his mindset. No, we are not omniscient, but we can discern truth from error. We can know God’s plan for us and the world around us and live life in view of the eternal, “Letting your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Heavenly Father, encourage those who read this today. Cause us to know the importance of having your mindset, of hearing your voice and resting securely in knowing that your ways are right, regardless of what may be popular or of the social norm. Give us your peace, help us realize we can because you said we can, that “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”.