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What does the Bible say about guarding your heart?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that believers are to guard their hearts diligently, because the heart directs the whole course of life, and only God can renew it through His grace. Proverbs 4:23 calls us to watch over our inner thoughts, desires, and affections, while Proverbs 4:1-27 urges us to walk wisely and avoid crooked paths. We guard the heart not by self-reliance, but by trusting the Lord in Proverbs 3:5-6, seeking a clean heart as in Psalm 51:10, and resisting sinful desires as Colossians 3:5 teaches. Philippians 4:6-7 assures us that prayer and thankful dependence bring God’s peace to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life.

  • Philippians 4:6-7

    [6] In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

  • Romans 12:2

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  • Psalms 51:10

    Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

  • Psalms 73:26

    My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

  • Luke 6:45

    The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

  • Proverbs 23:26

    My son, give me your heart; And let your eyes keep in my ways.

  • Proverbs 3:5-6

    [5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.

  • Colossians 3:5

    Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

  • Proverbs 4:1-27

    [1] Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding; [2] For I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law. [3] For I was a son to my father, Tender and an only child in the sight of my mother. [4] He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live. [5] Get wisdom. Get understanding. Don't forget, neither swerve from the words of my mouth. [6] Don't forsake her, and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. [7] Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding. [8] Esteem her, and she will exalt you. She will bring you to honor, when you embrace her. [9] She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you." [10] Listen, my son, and receive my sayings. The years of your life will be many. [11] I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. [12] When you go, your steps will not be hampered. When you run, you will not stumble. [13] Take firm hold of instruction. Don't let her go. Keep her, for she is your life. [14] Don't enter into the path of the wicked. Don't walk in the way of evil men. [15] Avoid it, and don't pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. [16] For they don't sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall. [17] For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. [18] But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, That shines more and more until the perfect day. [19] The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don't know what they stumble over. [20] My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. [21] Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart. [22] For they are life to those who find them, And health to their whole body. [23] Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it is the wellspring of life. [24] Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you. [25] Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you. [26] Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. [27] Don't turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.

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