It’s easy to slip into habits and pick up on the world’s negative mindsets, speech, sarcasm, gossip, and non-uplifting speech that surround us daily. We can easily get caught up in discussions, and arguments, which have nothing good to say about anyone or anything. If we allow these things into our lives enough, they will start to infiltrate other areas of our lives and can cause us to be led into pursuits, relationships, and social settings we never intended to be in.
The Bible teaches us how to stay free from these pitfalls. It says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
It’s about making a quality decision and commitment to choose the higher life instead of the low one and determine every day to supercharge our lives with positivity, God’s Word, and being around those who inspire and encourage us.
When we choose God’s way consistently, something starts to change inside us. At first, it may be only a subtle shift towards positivity and thinking better thoughts, but it doesn’t take long before you start to notice that you feel more peaceful, closer to, and more aware of God’s presence, healthier, wiser, more loving and generally happier.
Here are some keys to guarding your heart and choosing the higher life:
1. Ask God to put a guard across your mouth so that you don’t keep saying things you later regret, and be diligent with what you allow into your thought life and heart.
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do no wrong.” (Psalm 141:3-4)
2. Take a look at your input - Our souls and spirits are like sponges and will soak up whatever is around them the most. What are you soaking up?
What you surround yourself with is who you will become. The Bible gives us a simple and easy guideline to follow on what input. It‘s found in Philippians 4:8 and says,
“Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent ad praiseworthy – think on these things.”
To make changes, it is necessary to be honest about your relationships, media and recreational viewing and any other pastimes and determine whether they are beneficial or not.
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
If we filter all that we are thinking about, watching, listening to, saying, or doing through God’s Word, it soon becomes apparent if we need to make some changes, and as we do, we are promised, “The peace of God will be with you. ” (Philippians 4:9)
Today ask God how you are going with your thought life, speech, relationships, and subsequent actions. Are there areas you could grow in to be more positive and loving?
Are you soaking into your life those things that strengthen your faith and help you be the best version of yourself?
It’s always your choice, and if you choose the higher life and God’s way of living, He promises He will strengthen you every day and help you to be the person we were always created to be
“I call heaven and earth to speak against you today. I have put in front of you life and death, the good and the curse. So choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Prayer: Lord, please help me to choose wisely the things I “soak up” into my life. May they be truly honourable, right, pure, lovely and praiseworthy, so my life will reflect these things. In Jesus Name Amen.