On Heart-Guarding…
To finish up the series on heart-guarding where we have sought out the help of ninja-men like Chuck Norris and looked to novels by Jane Austen, I’d like to mention a woman who has influenced me a lot through her books and also another more contemporary writer and see what we can understand.
A school of thought that perhaps supports the sensible side of things in Austin’s novel is from Elisabeth Elliot. I have gleaned from reading her books Passion and Purity and Quest for Love that a woman should “keep her own counsel” and “aim first at loving God.” Ms. Elliot encourages gentlemen to be forthright with the women to whom they are attracted and encourages women to keep quiet with her feelings until “after the proposal.” This doesn’t seem to leave much room for exuberance, but it does kind of make room for a quiet adventure—kind of like Miss Dashwood experienced I’m sure. It seems a little extreme to some and I’m sure Miss Maryanne would find Ms. Elliot’s ideas absurd; however, I would consider Ms. Elliot’s advice to be somewhat a bit of a heart-guarding experience, although, honestly, to me, it just doesn’t sound like any fun. I like to gush, and so that is why I was attracted to the next author!
Victorya Michaels, author of Finding a Man Worth Keeping, would agree with Ms. Elliot to an extent, but she encourages young women in her book to have a flock of gal-pals with which to gab about such fluttery feelings and matters, especially while dating. The only problem I may have with this is that in some small circles, you may date the same men as your friends do, and sometimes saying certain things or expressing certain feelings to your gal-pals might not be the best idea. Ms. Michaels would also encourage a strong prayer life in regards to love.
And so, I have pondered this thought this week and come across this verse in a new way from Philippians 4:6-7: Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. If you do this then you will experience God’s peace which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
I have loved this verse for years and sometimes sing it camp-style in the shower and what-not and wash over it with familiarity, but I have never really considered it a verse on “guarding your heart”, but at its heart, that is what it really comes down to. Like Ms. Elliot and Ms. Michaels, I would encourage prayer like you’ve never seen prayer before. It is the essence of heart-guarding and it is not something frustrating because God doesn’t send us out alone and ask us to do it all by ourselves. Instead, God calls us to trust him and to seek him at all times and not to be consumed with worry about anything, including our futures. Can you think of anything more amazing to guard your heart not only in the area of romantic relationships but in ALL of your life than God’s peace? “His peace will guard your hearts and minds, as you trust in Christ Jesus.” That sounds even better to me than merely having Chuck Norris as my personal body guard.
Here are some questions to consider. In its essence, what does it truly mean to “guard your heart”? What do you think the original readers of Proverbs 4:23 took that verse to mean? How can we set guards over our hearts today?
I think this is an interesting topic but I find it hard to comment - not soming at this from a woman’s perspective - however - I think it is good to hear to that perspective.
Actually, it is interesting that the author in Proverbs is speaking to his son, and if you connect this passage with chapter 5, he is warning against the allure of the adultress. So, the principle in this passage would be to guard against your hearts evil inclinations, watch where your feet are taking you, and cut off sin before it starts. At least in this passage, I would say the concern is not so much that the woman is initiating, but that her intent is impure.
What do you think?
BJ-
Thanks so much for your thoughts. I appreciate your insight. Hmmm. What do I think? Yes, the Lord knows the motives of our hearts, and only by His spirit can we change into hearts that look more and more like His. Gentle, pure, loving, kind, patient, gracious. I have more thoughts… coming soon.