Guard Your Heart

23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life.24 Avoid all perverse talk;
stay away from corrupt speech.25 Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
26 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.

- Proverbs 4

There's many things we can do whatever we feel like it. We can do whatever we like but according to 1Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. Not everything is for us. Therefore we should find our path in GOD and protect that one thing that drives us to where we want to go - our hearts. We will do anything we don't like, we will only do the things that are from our hearts therefore our source for determining the course of our life should be protected because if it wants the wrong things in life, then we are bound to destruction. The Lord gives us this wise advice in Proverbs saying Guard your heart! Do not anything captivate your thoughts and your heart, let GOD captivate you!

What do we feed our hearts? We feed ourselves with whatever is in our surroundings  we can't help it because we can't stop things from happening, but we can feed our hearts the right way with GOD's word, listening to His Spirit, continually meditating on His promises and His laws. This is how we guard our hearts, by not letting us be corrupted with the talk of idlers, we can talk to people, but let's be alert not to conform to them, we don't have to be influenced by people around us, instead we should be an influence to them. Focus on the LORD, for He has already marked out a straight path before you. Since we cannot see the LORD, it takes discipline to train our spiritual ears and eyes to understand God's heart in every moment and matter in our lives. Guard your heart let it be GOD's alone. 

Influence

<sup>6 But Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel and was as wicked as King Ahab, for he had married one of Ahab’s daughters. So Jehoram did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. - 2 Chronicles 21

3 Ahaziah also followed the evil example of King Ahab’s family, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong. 4 He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin. - 2 Chronicles 22

26</sup> The assassins were Jozacar, the son of an Ammonite woman named Shimeath, and Jehozabad, the son of a Moabite woman named Shomer. 
- 2 Chronicles 24

The Bible usally talks about the history of the Kings of Israel. It records how they ruled the Kingdom wether in rightoeusness or wickedness. But if you read closer, you will trace that their rulership in either righteousness or wickedness has been hugely influenced by the women in their lives. Whether it be a man's wife, or a man's Mother, a woman in a man's life greatly influences a man and how he lives his life. Therefore if you are a woman, be careful to how you instruct your sons, your husbands and even your brothers. Woman, your life can directly influence a man's success or downfall. That is why there is a famous statement that says in every success or downfall of a man is a woman behind it.

Ladies, be careful how you instruct your sons or husbands about life and how to live. Your advice is greatly sought after by these men because they trust that whatever you say or teach is truly what is right and good. Isn't it a wonder how a father is the head of a family or the home, yet a woman can easily manipulate or control how a man leads? It is therefore with utmost care, that we understand our motives and the truth of the issues going on around us. And so whatever we decide to impart to others, let it be always in line with the word of GOD. Directly proportional to HIS ways, and approved by HIS Spirit so that our own lives will reflect GOD's glory and positively impact good to those that surround us.