The Thought for the Day is from Proverbs 4 v 23.
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it
Ever tried painting a room without splattering paint on yourself? Or playing ball without getting dirty? Or washing the car without getting wet? It’s hard, isn’t it?
How about living in modern society and staying “unspotted from the world”? (James 1 v 27).Ever try it? That’s the goal James set out for us in his epistle.
Here is a five-point evil-avoidance strategy from the fourth chapter in Proverbs that can help:
1. Make wisdom your life’s goal (v. 20-22).
2. Guard your heart against evil (v.23).
3. Never speak deceitfully (v. 24).
4. Keep your eyes on what is good and pure (v.25).
5. Keep your feet from evil ways (v. 26-27).
We either leave our mark on the world or the world leaves its mark on us.
I’m sure I’m not the only person who has did some redecorating during lockdown! I decided to paint the kitchen and it is not only hard to paint without splashes going all over the place, it is impossible. Even though I tried very hard to be careful and cleaned up splashes as I went along, over the following days I found little droplets that I had missed.
Thankfully in our lives we have good advice to listen to which will help us to keep our faith “unspotted by the world”.
Let’s ask God each day to guide our steps and guard our hearts.
It may be hard but it will not be impossible to live as He would have us do.