Shepherd Your Heart

Tedd Tripp has written a book: Shepherding a Child’s Heart, and I’m so thankful my Grands are exposed to its teaching by their parents.  The guiding principle of the book is Jesus’ words in Luke 6:45b – “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”  The concept of “speaking to the heart” is not limited to children!  While we all learned acceptable social behavior as children, we never outgrow behavior; it is part of adulthood as well.  Jesus said, “For every tree is known by his own fruit … A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil.” (V.44-45a). This is precisely why God commands Believers to “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23).  When we leave our heart unguarded [by the Word of God], destruction looms and destructive behavior comes: addictions, anger, bitterness, hopelessness – the list is literally endless. America has certainly lost its ways as we endlessly try to fix problems with laws, restrictions, medicines, etc. when the heart of America’s problems is problems of people’s hearts.  Is guarding your heart – allowing God’s Word to train your heart – a priority for you?  If not, you are in grave danger!  Be diligent and faithful to study and apply God’s Word to your heart! Yes, shepherd your heart!