Description:

Our purpose in this study is to identify the difference between a heart dedicated to God and one dedicated to self. Based on the Word of God, we all start out as sinful. As David said in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Message from Marsh: “May your personal walk with the Lord lead you to be transformed, renewed, and blessed.”

Marsh

Founder/President

Thank you for coming to: mensgroup.org

Men and Matters of the Heart

Lesson 12 – Challenge of the Heart – The Daily Heart Workout

(www.mensgroup.org – “Original Study”)

Lesson Focus: We will conclude our series with a challenge for you related to your heart.

“Blessing for continuing through each of these lessons. There are important steps you can take now, so don’t hesitate – move forward to make each of these lessons a part of your life.” – C. Marsh Bull.

Starting Prayer: Father God, we are in the final lesson on Men and Matters of the Heart. Help me to review my life and initiate a process to put the life lessons I’ve learned from this series into action. Make me a better man, father, husband, employer/employee, and neighbor because of my heart.

Opening Questions:

1.      When was the last time someone encouraged you to do something good for yourself?

2.      When have you encouraged a friend or brother related to their life? Remind yourself or tell the group about it (no names are necessary).

Scripture Passage:

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)

Phrase Explanation:

Solomon gave a compassionate challenge by repeated commands in Proverbs 4. Earlier in that chapter he spoke about,

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13)

For a moment think about the physical heart and the soul (often called the heart), which is the unified mind, emotion, and will. If we don’t take care of our beating heart, we endanger our lives, for without blood pumping through our body we will die. This is also true of the soul heart, for it determines the course of our life. Out of the soul heart comes purpose and God’s intention for our life, or the way we live.

You must know your heart, its weaknesses, and tendencies, and you must guard your heart from attack. This means to keep watch at every entry point to the heart: the ear, eye, mouth, nose, and touch. Place guards on the senses, those channels into the mind, emotion, and our memories and imaginations. Why? We do this because they pressure the will to act on their desires and deepen the corruption of the heart. Eve, Cain, Lot, Achan, Judas Iscariot, Simon the sorcerer, Demetrius, and Herod are examples of fallen hearts.

The statement, “guard your heart” is echoed in Malachi 2:15 in relationship to your wife, Jesus used it over ten times in the gospels, Paul challenged the elders of Ephesus with it (Acts 20:18-31) and wrote to the Corinthian church about this action (1 Corinthian 16:13), and even Peter as he closed his second book to those living as foreigners in today’s Turkey, warned readers to be on their guard (2 Peter 3:17). It is of most importance.

All these Scriptures say is to keep a vigilant sentinel that is always awake at the doors of your heart. You cannot survive if your physical heart is compromised and neither can your mind, emotion and will survive if they are penetrated by the ways of this world. You must link hands with the Holy Spirit to resist the attempts of your own flesh, the suggestions of the world, and the evil one to draw you away from godliness (1 John 2:15-17). James makes sure we know that we are in danger when temptation is acted upon by leading us to death.

“each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)

Charles Bridges in his discussion of the Proverbs 4 passage said, “If the citadel [the fortress for the defense of the city] be taken, the whole town must surrender. If the heart be seized, the whole man—the affections, desires, motives, pursuits—all will be yielded, guard the fountain, lest the waters be poisoned.”

Our hearts must be guarded constantly for the world is vigilant and diligent in its assault against us. Asking for wisdom from God, praying for spiritual understanding, and obedience to the Holy Spirit are the “only” effectual guards to the heart.

 

Discussion Questions:

1.      Why is it important to guard your heart?

2.      How do we keep from being pulled away from our desire and intent to live a life worthy of God’s sacrifice for us?

3.      Describe in your own words the illustration Charles Bridges used about a citadel?

Application:

1.      What sentries do you have at the doors of your heart now and why?

2.      What other sentries do you need to place at the unguarded doors of your heart?

3.      What is the first sentry you would place on an unguarded door?

Closing Prayer: Father God, I know it’s up to me to set up the sentries and to feed and encourage them so that they stay strong. Help me to guard the center of my soul with as much vigilance as I do the outward part of my body. Thank you for this study. Help me to do the work that will show that my heart is strong for God.

 

Additional Resources:

Guard verses: Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 16:11; Luke 12:15;
Acts 20:31; Philippians 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:14.

An Exposition of Proverbs, by Charles Bridges, pg. 53-54, Proverbs 4:23

This concludes Part II of the “Men and Matters of the Heart” study.

All our Blessings,

Men’s Group Foundation, Inc.

A mensgroup.org “Third Party Original Study”

 

Written by Richard Matteson
Rmattesonrealty@gmail.com    
214-690-6662

Use these links to navigate to various parts of this study:

Intro | Lesson 7 | Lesson 8 | Lesson 9 | Lesson 10 | Lesson 11 | Lesson 12

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