Keeping the Heart

John Flavel was a pastor in 17th century England, and he wrote a very practical, penetrating book:  Keeping the Heart (1667).  “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23).  Keeping the heart is the great work of the Christian.

Your heart—that deep inner seat of affection and trust—must be tended if your attachment to Christ is to survive and flourish.  Like a garden, the heart requires cultivation; like a fire in the fireplace, it must be cared for and stoked or the embers will cool and fade.

Sustaining our zeal for Christ’s honor and relying on his wise, loving care is hard work, yet Flavel is adamant that God’s exertion is the key:  only by his regenerating, empow­ering hand can the heart be nurtured and thrive.  So the duty is ours while the power is of God.

Although it’s true that the believer’s heart is always confronted by the temptations of sin and foolishness, Flavel notes how there are special “seasons” in which keeping the heart requires our utmost diligence.  In fact, most of this short book is taken up by naming those seasons, explaining the dangers, and giving counsel on how to guard the heart:

• Prosperity.  When creature comforts come our way, the heart is very apt to grow secure, proud and earthly.  “Outward gains are ordinarily attended with inward losses.”  “The heart may be kept humble by considering of what a clogging nature earthly things are to a soul heartily engaged in the way to heaven.”
• Adversity.  Keep your heart diligently from repining against God.  Our hardships are God’s “cross-providences” to pull down pride and worldly security.  Nothing grieves the Lord more than our “groundless and unworthy suspicions of his designs.”
• Other seasons when the heart is especially under threat include:  times of fear, timidity and anxiety (but recall:  God Almighty is also your loving Father); amidst devotion (Satan longs to lure you away from prayer and God’s Word); and in episodes of doubt and dark­ness (but let distress drive you to God, not away from him).

Are you vigilant in guarding your heart?  Nothing matters more!  Cry out to the Lord--for mercy, for strength, for peace.