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Proverbs 4:23
New International Version
23 Above all else,
guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
These words of wisdom from King Solomon emphasize the importance of protecting our innermost
being.
Our heart is the source of our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs,
and actions. Therefore, it is crucial to guard our hearts above all else.
It can either lead us down a path of righteousness or a path
of destruction. Our hearts are susceptible to sinful thoughts, attitudes, and
beliefs. Hence, we must be mindful of what we allow into our hearts; everything
we do flows from it.
Guarding our hearts is about protecting ourselves from
external and internal factors. We must be mindful of the things we think about,
the things we set our affection on, and the things we give our attention to.
Negativity,
bitterness, and anger can take root in our hearts and lead to sinful behavior.
For this reason, the apostle Paul says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).
Guarding your heart means choosing to focus on godly as well
as seeking wisdom and guidance from God
When we guard our hearts, we take responsibility for our
mental, psychological, and spiritual well-being. In doing so, we protect
ourselves from sinful influences that impede spiritual progress By guarding our
hearts, we become who God designed us to be.
There are several reasons why it is imperative to guard our
hearts.
First, our hearts have a significant
impact on our relationship with God, and the condition of our heart can either
draw us closer or push us away from Him.
When we meditate on the Word of God and allow it to sink into
our hearts, we are radically transformed and will experience a greater sense of
peace, joy, and contentment.
Allowing sinful influences to take root in our hearts will
hinder our relationship with God. We will struggle to pray, read the Bible, and
may even feel distant from God.
The second reason
why it is imperative to guard our hearts is that the heart impacts our
relationship with others. It can draw us closer to others or estrange us from
them. For example, if we cultivate an attitude of love, kindness, and
compassion toward others, we will build strong and meaningful connections with
them. A heart of patience, understanding, and forgiveness creates a culture of
trust and mutual respect.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall
give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16 KJV
The
term “Comforter” appears in key passages within the New Testament, particularly
in the Gospel of John. The word often translated as “Comforter” or “Helper” is
derived from the Greek term “Paraklētós,” which can be rendered as Advocate,
Counselor, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby. This refers to someone who comes
alongside to encourage, guide, strengthen, and intercede on behalf of
believers. While the concept of divine help can be found throughout Scripture,
the identity of the Comforter is most clearly described in the words of Jesus.
Scriptural Usage of
the Term
1. In John 14:16, Jesus says, “And I will ask the Father,
and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever.” Here, “Advocate”
(often translated “Comforter” in various English versions) is an indication
that this presence is not merely an impersonal force but a Helper comparable to
Jesus Himself.
2. In John 14:26, we read, “But the Advocate, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and
will remind you of everything I have told you.” This identifies the Comforter
specifically as the Holy Spirit-the One who guides believers into understanding
the truths Jesus taught.
3. In John 15:26, Jesus promises, “When the Advocate
comes, whom I will send to you from the Father-the Spirit of truth who proceeds
from the Father-He will testify about Me.” This verse reveals the testimonial
role of the Comforter, bearing witness of Christ.
4. In John 16:7, Jesus explains, “But I tell you the
truth, it is for your benefit that I go away. Unless I go away, the Advocate
will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” Jesus emphasizes
that this Helper’s coming is necessary for the continuation of God’s redemptive
plan.
Identity as the Holy
Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s identity as
the Comforter is spelled out in John 14:26,
directly connecting Him to the promises Jesus made. He is fully God-sent by the
Father and the Son-and is personal, not merely an abstract power. Throughout
the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described with personal pronouns (e.g.,
“He,” not “it,” in many translations), teaching, guiding, convicting, and
helping believers in ways only a personal being can.
Role in Teaching and
Guidance
The Comforter’s teaching role
is foundational (John 14:26). By guiding believers into all truth (John 16:13), the Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture
and helps followers of Christ apply biblical principles to life.
Role in Consolation
and Empowerment
In addition to guiding and
teaching, the Holy Spirit brings comfort to believers by reminding them of
God’s truths in times of distress. Evidence from the early Christian community
(seen in the Book of Acts) shows a dramatic transformation in the lives of
believers empowered by the Holy Spirit. Modern-day testimonies also echo these
themes of inner peace and divine assistance, which numerous documented cases
attribute to the ongoing work of the Comforter.
Relationship to
Believers
The Comforter provides an
internal witness of one’s reconciliation to God, as explained in Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our
spirit that we are children of God.”
God’s Prescription: Remember
Remembering is the primary prescription God gives us. While there are many things we should do as God’s children, remembering is something we NEED to do—especially remembering who God is, what he has done for us by sending Jesus to redeem us, and who we are in Christ.
Mother’s Day is a special day to remember our mothers. We should remember all they have done for us, all they mean to us, and who we are because of them.
At birth, our mothers were an instrument in God’s hand to bring us into this world. God knit together each of us in our mother’s womb and placed us in her arms at birth. What a joy and blessing it is for a mother to cradle her newborn child for the first time at birth and then to hold her child’s hand throughout life. That’s how God intended it to be.
Just as a child is a gift from God to a mother (and father), mothers and fathers are gifts from God to the child. There is a bond in the parent/child
Relationship that should never be broken—and never really can be. One can divorce a spouse but not a parent.
Just as God loves us and has given us spiritual birth, we should honor and love the one who gave us physical birth. That’s how God intended it to be.
-Shari Abbott