June 7th – Proverbs 7: The Turning Heart

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.” – Proverbs 7:24,25

This proverb is obviously talking about the adulteress. The writer gives us a detailed account of what motivates the adulteress and then also expounds on the mindset of the young lad that falls to her ways. Probably the most gripping part of the Proverb is the end result of falling into adultery:

“Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.” – Proverbs 7:26,27

Truly this is a result we want to avoid! But also interesting to note is what leads to this final end:

“Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.” –Proverbs 7:25

Many times before our ACTIONS change for the worse, our HEART turns to wickedness. Our heart is the epicenter of our spiritual life and the engine of our actions. When our hearts turn to the Lord, our righteous actions reflect that turning. In the same way, before people start DOING crazy, sinful things, their hearts have ALREADY turned to wickedness. I don’t know one guy who got caught in adultery that didn’t have some kind of problem with lust or pornography. The direction of our heart will determine the direction of our walk. That’s why we are encouraged to GUARD our hearts!

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” – Proverbs 4:23

Before our actions change, our hearts already have! This proverb is telling us that we can control our behavior by directing our hearts affections. People that walk a lifestyle of righteousness have already turned their hearts to righteousness. People that walk in unrighteousness have already turned their hearts in the direction of wickedness. It’s not rocket science!

LIFE LESSON:

Your FEET follow your HEART. To change your WALK, you must first change your HEART.