“More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart. For out of it are the sources of life.” Prov. 4:23.
We are admonished to ‘safeguard’ and not ‘follow’ our hearts?
Yes... Bible writers use “heart” to describe man’s entire inner self. It encompasses such aspects as our desires, thoughts, disposition, attitudes, capabilities, motivations, and goals...Note: “If one of your brothers becomes poor among you in one of your cities of the land that Jehovah your God is giving you, do not harden your heart or be tightfisted toward your poor brother.” Deut. 15:7.
“A man may plot out his course in his heart, but it is Jehovah who directs his steps.” Prov. 16:9.
“On this account my heart became cheerful and my tongue rejoiced greatly. And I will reside in hope.” Acts 2:26.
So we must guard/or watch over our desires, thoughts, disposition, attitudes, capabilities, motivations and goals. Monitor them. . . Regarding the heart, one reference work states, it is “the sum total of the interior man.” Although, in some cases, “heart” has a narrower meaning.
For example, Jesus said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” Matt. 22:37. In this instance, “heart” refers to the emotions/desires/and feelings of the inner person. By mentioning heart, soul, and mind separately, Jesus emphasized that we must express our love for God in our feelings as well as by the way we lead our life and use our mental faculties.
Obviously, our inner personality is unseen—much as the core, or heart, of a tree cannot be seen. Still, as Jesus mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount, just as fruits reveal the condition of a tree, so our activities demonstrate the true condition of our heart. Matt. 7:17-20.
Regarding the heart, King David reminded Solomon: “My son, know the God of your father and serve him with a complete heart and with a delightful soul; for all hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning.” 1 Chron. 28:9. Indeed, Jehovah is the Examiner of all hearts, including ours. Prov. 17:3; 21:2.
And what he finds in our heart has a strong bearing on our relationship with him and on our future. Thus, we have good reason to follow David’s inspired counsel by doing our utmost to serve Jehovah with a complete heart.
Even Jesus stated: “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” John 17:3. . . “Not only when being watched, just to please men, but as Christ’s slaves doing the will of God whole-souled.” Eph. 6:6...Yes, the “heart” mentioned by itself stands for the total inner person.
And yes … safeguarding this total inner person leads us to eternal life.
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