Sunday, August 9, 2009

Stand Guard

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

The Secret Service is a special law enforcement organization that performs several duties for the United States Government. Some of the officers serving in this organization are assigned as bodyguards to government officials. One such sentry, Tim McCarthy, bravely placed his body in the line of fire to save President Ronald Reagan’s life. A bullet lodged in Tim’s abdomen, but he survived. Because of his valiant act, President Reagan lived after an assassination attempt, though a bullet pierced his shoulder. McCarthy received the NCAA award of Valor in 1982.

We must hold spiritual vigil over our own hearts. Evil thoughts such as lust, greed, jealousy, and hatred act like a deadly bullets that drive the spiritual life out of us. We must be willing to risk our own comfort to ensure that our hearts remain pure. This may mean that we feel the pain of rejection because we steer against the flow of the world. It will mean that we have to hide God’s word within our hearts to help us fight against our adversary the devil.

God will help us; he will back us up. And after we resist negative imaginations, we must learn to replace them with thoughts from God’s word that edify us spiritually. As we dwell on the good and reject the evil, we will reflect our Savior in increasing dimensions. We will be transformed through a process called the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2). And on that final day the Lord will reward us for our valor on the battlefront of the mind.

Dear Lord,

I choose to guard my heart with all diligence. Help me to submit to you and resist the devil. I will hide your word in my heart. Thank you for changing me from glory to glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

© Copyright 2008 by Tom Toya. All rights reserved.

No comments:

Post a Comment