My grandson and I are working on scripture memory as part of our homeschool day. I used to do it regularly, but as with everything, it is very easy to drift away from it.
Our first memory verse is Proverbs 4:23 (we are working through verse 26).
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
We talked about what keeping your heart means – watching over it; guarding it. To do so vigilantly means with diligence, intentional, not going on autopilot. I used the analogy of a watchman or guard on the wall of an ancient city. His job was to be vigilant in watching for threats or enemies. He wasn’t there to play cards or take naps. He was a protector of his post. He knew what his job was and he knew what he needed to be on guard against. It is the same with our hearts. We must protect it from things that will harm it. Whatever is allowed in, affects what comes out. Hence the rest of the verse. Out of our hearts flow all of our thoughts, words, and choices.
Garbage in, garbage out.
Good in, good out.
It reminded me of Philippians 4:8 where Paul tells his readers:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just (right), whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable (admirable), if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
This is how we keep our heart. This is the litmus test that our thoughts, words, and choices must pass. If they don’t – we don’t think it, say it or do it.
How do we know what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise?
God’s word is our standard for these things. If we are not reading and studying His word, we don’t know what the standard for these things is. It isn’t taking snippets of scripture out of context and making it into something it isn’t. It is diligently searching the scriptures for His truth – because that is the only Truth. It is objective. Not subjective.
Be rooted in His word. Be vigilant over what you allow into your heart and mind.