How to Guard Your Heart From the World
Wondering how to keep a healthy balance between secular and Christian influences? Here are simple ways to guard your heart.
In it but not of it. We hear it all the time. John 17:14-19 is clear that we are not to be of the world, but what does that really mean?
Let’s face it. You can’t turn on the television without endless commercials for pharmaceuticals for every sickness and disease imaginable, news of war, crime and violence right in your own town, or mainstream television shows promoting every kind of sin. Even around the water cooler at work, the talk seems to be of bad news and more bad news.
Many Christians believe they are immune and can handle secular influences without any negative impact on their hearts or spiritual condition, but the Bible tells us differently. In Psalm 101:3, David said, “I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.” David knew the importance of watching what went into his eyes and who he associated with. He took it very seriously!
We, too, must understand the power of words going into our eyes and into our ears. The more we read and hear the Word of God, the more it gets down in our spirit and then comes out our mouths. The same is true of negative, secular media or bad company.
It is possible to live in this world but guard our hearts from being influenced. Though we are surrounded by so many things that are contrary to the Word of God, we can stand strong for truth and righteousness.
Below are some simple ways to guard your heart from the negative influences of the world:
- Choose your friends wisely. Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV) says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
- Surround yourself with people of hope and faith. Iron sharpens iron, and these people will encourage you to stand strong in your faith.
- Thoughtfully select television, music, movies and all other forms of entertainment. Seek the Lord for direction, and be willing to eliminate anything that is feeding your spirit negative food.
- Keep the Word of God in your eyes and ears as many hours as possible each day, and keep anything against His Word out! The Victory Channel and our podcast are great ways to keep the Word going 24/7.
We will always live in a world that promotes ideas that do not align with the Word of God, but we can take steps to guard our hearts and keep our minds stayed on Him. In the meantime, though we aren’t called to be loved by the world or participate in what it does, He has set us apart to be a light that shines brightly and dispels the darkness with truth.
Watch this video with Jeremy Pearsons to learn how to become strong in heart toward God.