Fill to Flow // Proverbs 4:23

How are you guarding your heart? The whole idea speaks to the sensitivity of the heart and the importance of protecting it. Such protections, however, can end up leaving us unavailable, inaccessible, and unapproachable. God does not want this because the way we live is intended to help us point people to Jesus. We need to allow our hearts to be a passthrough for God’s amazing grace, meaning we must be mindful what it is our heart ultimately filters.

Perhaps you are aware of the old computer programming adage: garbage in, garbage out. Essentially we present to others what we process ourselves. Jesus cautioned about this very thing when He said, “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth” (Matthew 15:11). We must guard the heart to ensure what we process is in line with what we hope to produce. Seeking to fill our lives with Spirit will help ensure that the fruit of the Spirit flows from within…things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, goodness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23).

I hope you guard your heart against the icky and evil inputs the world wants you to consume. Let the faith, hope, and love of a life lived with Christ fill you so God’s glory may flow from you.