The Effect of the Mind

Proverb 4:23 - Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

• Translations for Proverb 4:23– Contemporary English Version -

Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.

– New International Version - Above everything else, guard your heart. It is where your life comes from.

– New Century Version - Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.

– Why guarding?• Heart is the center of intellect, emotion and

will.• Heart and mind are interchangeable. • It points to soul or personhood• Examples:

– Saul: I Samuel 18:7-9 - 7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

–  8 And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?

–  9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

– Ahithophel: II Samuel 17:1-2 – 1 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:

–  2And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only:

» His granddaughter: Bathsheba– Diotrephes: III John 9-10 – 9 I wrote unto the

church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

–  10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

– Paul: I Timothy 1:15 - This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

– How can we guard our hearts?• Proverb 23:7 - For as he thinketh in his

heart, so is he: …• Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

– True: opposite of dishonest and lies– Honest: honorable, worthy of respect and

reverence– Just: conformity to God’s standard;

righteous relation between man and man and between God and man

– Pure: not mixed with moral impurity; chaste– Lovely: lovable, beautiful, pleasing,

gracious, promoting peace– Good Report: worth talking about, what is

positive – Virtue: excellence– Praise: praiseworthy

• How?– John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy

truth: thy word is truth.

• Modern example– Kimani Nganga Maruge in Kenya

• World’s oldest student died at 90• Oldest of seven children• Law passed for free access to primary

education• Started school at 84 after being rejected 5

times• His goal; reading the Bible• Relocated and yet went to school 2.5 miles

one way• Dropped out when he had a cancer

New Century Version - Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.