{"id":50827,"date":"2025-06-17T08:39:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T05:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=50827"},"modified":"2025-06-17T22:33:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T19:33:59","slug":"guard-the-wellspring-of-your-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2025\/06\/17\/guard-the-wellspring-of-your-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"GUARD THE WELLSPRING OF YOUR HEART"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Proverbs 4:23<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”<\/em> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A spring is a source of water\u2014it provides water for drinking and for sustaining plant life. When the spring yields bitter or salty water, it becomes useless. Life cannot thrive around it. Neither people, nor animals, nor crops can survive with such water.<\/p>\n

But when a spring produces clean, fresh water, it brings life wherever it flows. People flourish, animals thrive, crops grow, and even the local economy benefits.<\/p>\n

A vivid example of bitter water is found in the journey of the Israelites at Marah.<\/p>\n

Exodus 15:22\u201325<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.<\/em>
When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)<\/em>
So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What are we to drink?’<\/em>
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink. There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test.”<\/em> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Bible compares our hearts to springs of water. This means that what flows out of our hearts can either bring life and fruitfulness\u2014or corruption and destruction. Everything around us\u2014our health, our relationships, our work, our education, our favor with people and with God\u2014depends on what is flowing from within.<\/p>\n

So what are these “bitter” or “sweet” waters?<\/p>\n

Jesus gives us clarity.<\/p>\n

Matthew 12:34\u201335<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.<\/em>
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”<\/em> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Matthew 15:18\u201320<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“But the things that come out of a person\u2019s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.<\/em>
For out of the heart come evil thoughts\u2014murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.<\/em>
These are what defile a person…”<\/em> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

From this, we understand that things like lies, slander, adultery, theft, and murder come from the heart\u2014and these are the bitter waters. They pollute relationships, ruin lives, destroy ministries, end marriages, and rob people of their divine calling.<\/p>\n

Many have lost their purpose or blessings because their hearts have become corrupted springs\u2014producing bitter water instead of life-giving truth and purity. Some have lost favor with God and man because of unfaithfulness, deceit, or sin. Others have seen their once-thriving ministries or marriages fall apart because of impurity flowing from within.<\/p>\n

James 3:8\u201312<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<\/em>
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God\u2019s likeness.<\/em>
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.<\/em>
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?<\/em>
My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”<\/em> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

If what flows from our hearts is good\u2014things like love, truth, kindness, patience, holiness\u2014then we are like a pure spring. Our words and actions will bring life. Our salvation, ministries, marriages, and work will be fruitful. Our influence will be holy and life-giving.<\/p>\n

So, what kind of water is your heart producing? Sweet or bitter?<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s bitter\u2014there is hope! The remedy is the Holy Spirit. Believe in Jesus Christ, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, who purifies the heart freely and completely.<\/p>\n

Once the Holy Spirit fills your heart, the dead things in your life\u2014your marriage, ministry, calling, or education\u2014can be revived. Because now the water flowing from within is pure and life-giving.<\/p>\n

But even if your heart is already producing clean water, there is a command: Guard your heart.<\/strong> Protect it from corruption. Keep it from the influence of this sinful world.<\/p>\n

Proverbs 4:23<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”<\/em> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

How do you guard your heart?
Through prayer, by reading and meditating on the Word of God, by avoiding worldly influences, and by regularly fellowshipping with other believers.<\/p>\n

May the Lord bless you.<\/strong>
Share this message of hope and truth with others.<\/p>\n

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