We understand that we should be good at keeping our private thoughts hidden from others. Experience has taught that what we feel, believe and live by is often opposed to the way others feel, believe and live by. So. We learn by experience to control what we put in our heart, how we live by these internal valuables, and what we share with others.
Why? Sometimes it is difficult sharing something with someone who may not understand, and they may just use what they discover against you someday. Even today.
Wise people tell us to “follow your heart”, and if the truth could shout out its wisdom, we would understand that the “…heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…” (Jeremiah 17:9).
So. For me today, I simply ask… “What’s in Your heart?
We filter the world into thoughts that we collect in our hearts, that internal storage part that heaps up how we feel and see the world around. Some call it our worldview. This is our personal view of the world that we gauge everything by, the foundation that we frame everything we believe, practice, preach and live. It’s easy to setup our world to step through life on a heart that grows in experiences and knowledge, but it’s difficult to unload the past and make new paths into the future.
Why? Why do we struggle with holding things in, letting them out, and dealing with the aftermath of either process?
Perhaps it’s based on principles of “fool me once, shame on you…fool me twice, shame on me…” which essentially means, I will trust you but if you negate that trust then shame on you…if it happens a second time, then shame on me for trusting you again.
We have all been hurt by others who trample through our views and feelings. We are stunned and wonder why and how. But consider this. When you open the gate you are probably your own worst enemy.
One's trust is gained, and until sufficiently trusted then the contents of the heart should be protected against damage! Click To TweetBut here’s my thought today, and it comes in the midst of hearing an interview with Elon Musk. I was driving home and listening to NPR and suddenly I heard the name and started paying closer attention. Here’s my process. I open my mind to filter what I hear, consider where it needs to reside in my heart, and decide whether it’s a worthy tidbit to hang on to.
I’ve shared this quote on other social platforms but it really made me think about how we utilize these platforms effectively and wisely when others have a different focus.
“I use my tweets to express myself,” he said of his online candor. “Some people use their hair, I use Twitter. Twitter is a war zone.” [Source]
To Elon Musk, Twitter is a war zone!
Is this how the World views Social Media? Is it simply a place to wage war? We certainly see this by some we could name, but if we focus on those negative words and ideas then we join the ranks of soldiers marching to the beat of the loudest drummer!
If you are a little fish in the pond then you may get swallowed up by those who use social platforms as a place to do battle! It’s not just the heart, but also the mind, senses, and extremities that get involved. In other words, it’s the entire person!
Solomon gives us a wise sentence to consider the protection detail we set over our heart. “Guard your heart diligently!” (Proverbs 4:23) Put a guard detail in front of your heart to protect it from all the negative influences that daily pound against it.
When we were in London, and like so many tourists before and after, we wanted to see the changing of the guards. With precision to detail, just as those soldiers who march in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC, these guards put themselves through a process that shows all of us how dedicated they are.
Maybe that’s how we should view the importance of our heart! Guard the entrance with rigidity and purpose. Block those things that will negate all the years of protection you have put into the effort.
One more thing. There is a duality of heart and tongue. The words you hear may say one thing, while the heart has a totally different focus. King David writes of this in Psalms 55. You would do well to read and consider it. There was a man who was his equal, guide and acquaintance that he spent time with, of which he later writes:
The words of his mouthwere smoother than butter,
but war
was in his heart:his words were softer than oil,
yet were they drawn swords.
Psalms 55:21
One religious leader was asked how he deals with all the
Wise words!
If you are not careful, then the influences and criticisms of this world will wear down your resolve to protect your own heart! Be responsible. Accountable. In charge. Your heart is that important!