Our lives are shaped by the information we consume, the voices we heed, and the influences we allow into our hearts. The reality you experience today reflects what you’ve permitted to enter your spirit. As gospel ministers, we must recognise that we are governed by what we open ourselves to—ideas, news, counsel, and reports. Every piece of information builds something within us, and that something becomes our reality.
Proverbs 4:23 declares, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (NKJV). Notice the profound truth in this scripture: the issues of life do not invade our hearts from external sources; rather, they spring forth from within. Our hearts produce what they have been fed, and our lives reflect that nourishment.
A Reflection of the Heart
The New Living Translation further clarifies, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” This scripture echoes a divine principle: what you allow into your heart will set the trajectory of your life. It will determine whether you walk in success or failure, faith or fear, life or death, courage or timidity. As ministers and leaders, protecting our hearts is not just a good idea — it is an essential practice.
Your heart is the place where everything in your life flows from—whether it’s good or bad. That’s why it’s so important to guard your heart. — Joyce Meyer
Now let’s consider the different translations of Prov 4:23
GOD’S WORD® Translation: “Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.”
Good News Translation: “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”
These translations emphasise the critical importance of guarding our hearts, for they are the wellspring of life. The very source of life flows from within, influenced by what we see, hear, and perceive. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the gates of our lives: the eyes, the ears, and the nose.
The Three Gates: Eyes, Ears, and Nose
1. Eyes: The Lamp of the Body
Jesus taught, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23, ESV).
Our eyes are a gateway to our soul. What we choose to focus on will fill our lives with either light or darkness. A lustful glance or a gaze fixed on the wrong thing can plant seeds of sin in our hearts, leading to spiritual decay.
Be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down in love. — Children’s Hymn
2. Ears: The Transmitter to the Heart
Proverbs 15:31 says, “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise.” What we hear has the power to shape our lives profoundly. When we position ourselves to hear good things—positive words, uplifting music, and the truth of God’s Word—we transmit life-giving power to our hearts. This in turn enables us to think clearly, make wise decisions, and live in a way that honors God.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
3. Nose: The Sense of Smell
The sense of smell can have a profound impact on our physical and spiritual health. In Genesis 27:27, Isaac blessed Jacob after recognising his scent. Even though there was deception involved, the smell was powerful enough to influence Isaac’s actions. Living in a spiritually “stinking” environment can have a detrimental effect on your mind and spirit. The smell of sin, negativity, and corruption can seep into your soul, influencing your thoughts and actions in ways you may not even realise.
Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. — 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NLT)
The Power of the Heart and Mind Connection
Luke 6:45 reminds us, “The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Our words are a direct reflection of the state of our hearts. There is no such thing as idle words; what we speak reveals the condition of our minds.
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. — Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
Matthew 15:18 further illustrates this point: “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.” If our minds are filled with negativity, fear, or sin, our speech will reflect that corruption. On the other hand, if we have filled our hearts with God’s Word, our words will be life-giving, faith-filled, and transformative.
Guarding the Gates Is A Continuous Process
As believers, we must understand that our minds are powerful yet fragile. What we expose ourselves to will inevitably influence our lives. This is why, after we give our hearts to the Lord, we must work diligently to renew our minds. Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (NKJV).
The Amplified Bible adds, “Be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes].“
Renewing our minds is a daily task that requires daily feeding on the Word of God.
The process of renewing the mind is ongoing. Even after salvation, the fears, doubts, and worries that once plagued us will seek to resurface. This does not mean our salvation is not genuine; rather, it reveals the areas of our minds that still need to be purged and renewed. This purging process is a lifelong journey, one that continues until Jesus returns.
Faith – The Antidote to Fear
The devil’s greatest weapon is fear, but the believer’s greatest weapon is faith. Romans 1:17 declares, “The just shall live by faith.” After all, you have seen and heard—whether it’s negative reports, the disintegration of marriages, the failure of businesses, or the rise of diseases—you must choose to live by faith.
Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.
When the world says it’s impossible, declare that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). When the enemy whispers that you can’t do it, boldly proclaim, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Never allow fear to take root in your heart. You are a child of God, not a slave to fear! The just shall live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author, and finisher of your faith. Trust in God, not in systems, governments, experts, or even yourself. Faith in God produces results beyond your wildest expectations.
To further equip yourself in guarding your heart and growing your faith, I encourage you to watch our latest YouTube video where we delve deeper into these principles.
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The Tragedy of Departing from the Faith
In these perilous times, we have witnessed a tragic phenomenon: respected Christian leaders and influencers abandoning their faith. These individuals, once pillars in the Christian community, have publicly renounced their belief in Jesus Christ.
Their stories serve as sobering reminders of the importance of guarding our hearts and protecting our ministries.
- Dave Gass – a former pastor who served at Grace Family Fellowship and other churches, made a startling announcement: “After 40 years of being a devout follower, 20 of those being an evangelical pastor, I am walking away from the faith. Even though this has been a massive bomb drop in my life, it has been decades in the making.”
A ship doesn’t sink because of the water around it; it sinks because of the water that gets in it. Don’t let what’s happening around you get inside and weigh you down.
2. Paul Maxwell – a well-known writer for “Desiring God,” also declared his departure from the faith on social media, saying: “What I really miss is connection with people. What I’ve discovered is that I’m ready to connect again. And I’m kind of ready not to be angry anymore. I love you guys, and I love all the friendships and support I’ve built here. And I think it’s important to say that I’m just not a Christian anymore…”
The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.
3. Marty Sampson – a Hillsong songwriter, shared his struggle with faith: “Time for some real talk… I’m genuinely losing my faith… Christians can be the most judgmental people on the planet – they can also be some of the most beautiful and loving people… but it’s not for me. I am not in anymore.”
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. — Suzy Kassem
4. Joshua Harris – the author of “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” and former pastor of a mega-church, renounced his faith after announcing his divorce: “I have undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus. The popular phrase for this is ‘deconstruction,’ the biblical phrase is ‘falling away.’ By all the measurements I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.”
Deconstruction is the enemy’s counterfeit for what God wants to do in your life: restoration.
These heartbreaking confessions from prominent figures in the Christian community highlight the vital importance of protecting our hearts. It is a reminder that no one is immune to the challenges of faith, and without a vigilant guard over our hearts, even the strongest among us can falter.
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Conclusion
As ministry leaders and believers, it is imperative that we guard our hearts with all diligence. The influences we allow into our lives—through our eyes, ears, and even our sense of smell—will shape our reality and our ministry. Protecting our hearts is not optional; it is a divine mandate. By renewing our minds, rejecting fear, and living by faith, we position ourselves to walk in the fullness of God’s promises. Remember, out of your heart flow the issues of life. Guard it well, and your life and ministry will flourish in ways that glorify God.
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