Security Guard of the Heart

Sporting events, concerts, businesses, malls, theme parks - nearly everywhere one goes today, security guards can be found. These men and women are present to protect the property of the owner and all who may enter its promises.
Some of the main functions of security include access control, personal protection and safety. Only those with proper clearance may enter the property. Sometimes there are varying levels of clearance. One may be allowed access to some areas but not to others. Security guards must determine just how far each may progress. Personal protection can be obtained by observation, checks upon entrance and personal escorts. The necessity of each is determined by the importance of all involved. Safety procedures are observed to maintain the orderly function around the property.

In a sense we are all to be security guards of our own hearts. “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 AMP) The Lord has placed great value, Above All, on the heart or spirit that is our center. In order to perform this task, we must seriously consider the three functions of a security guard mentioned above.

Access control is extremely important to God. Every day we must allow and even escort in the Word of God to our hearts. “The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130 AMP) While we welcome God's Word, must especially be on alert to keep out the lies of this world system. People and circumstances can scream these lies at us. Although the lies enter through our eyes, ears and thoughts, we must stop them before they enter and lodge deep in the heart.

We are called to reach out to the hurting and share the love of Christ. To do this we must open our senses to much that is contrary to God's plan. We are to welcome the hurting and help them, but the access we give must stop before their own injury and misconceptions enter into our hearts to take residence. God's Word must reign supremely in our lives.

We are not only to allow the Word of God past the entrance of your heart, we are to actively escort it in. “Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  (Psalm 119:11 AMP) We take an active role in bringing the Scripture past all of the other thoughts and feelings trying to push it out of the way. We bring the Word in with faith and allow it to guide our lives. “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP)

To keep security continuously successful, Guards perform continuous patrols and safety checks. We can do this by continually checking the words of our mouths and the attitudes of our hearts. Jesus taught, “The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45 AMP) If our words are not lining up with love and faith, it is time to take action to re-secure the heart. Those bad/wrong attitudes must be escorted off property and be replaced by the word of that. “But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!” (Colossians 3:8 AMP)

As a strong guard we must be aware of and alert to any hazards to our safety. “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 AMP) Knowing that the enemy is ever nearby with his lies, we must guard ourselves and seek to help others. “And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God's] will.” (2 Timothy 2:26 AMP)

Above All means before everything else. We must train to be proficient security guards our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the teacher and God's word is the textbook. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP) With these we train and execute well.

As you go about daily life, always remember what is above all else. Be a proficient security guard of your own heart and you will be strong yourself and bless others.