A Profitable Use of Our Bodies (Proverbs 4:23-27)

Paul said, “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” The wise man in Proverbs helps us with this by telling us how we should use some of the members of our bodies.

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

The heart that we should keep with all vigilance is not the organ that pumps blood throughout the rest of our bodies but is referring to the mind. We must keep our minds safe from the assaults of the devil and not allow ungodly things to infiltrate them. The salvation of our souls depends on this. Jesus taught the same thing in Luke 6:45. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good…” Do not let the devil corrupt your mind. Be very careful what you allow inside your heart. Let us all follow the inspired instructions of Paul and fill our minds with things that true, honorable, just and pure (Philippians 4:8).

Proverbs 4:24 (ESV)
24 Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk far from you.

The tongue is very important. It has the power to both kill and make alive (Proverbs 18:21). While we know that the tongue cannot literally kill, it can tear others down and lead to the destruction of the soul. James tells us that in the tongue is a world of unrighteousness (James 3:6), and that it cannot be tamed (3:8). That does not mean that we cannot control the tongue, but it does mean that we must always be on guard against misusing it. We can never relax and not be diligent in the use of our tongues. In an instant we can say something that can destroy someone’s life. We must purposely put away crooked speech and remember that we will have to give an account of every careless word that we speak (Matthew 12:36-37).

Proverbs 4:25 (ESV)
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Proper focus is important. Our goal as Christians is to make it to heaven and help as many people as possible get there too. As Paul said, we must keep on pressing toward the goal (Philippians 3:14), but the only way to do that is to look forward. If we look back, we will swerve off course. If we look to the side, it will slow down our progress. Keep your gaze straight, or, as the scripture says, “set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). Let’s remember to keep the main thing the main thing.

Proverbs 4:26 (ESV)
26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

Think before you act. Make sure that your actions involve that which is pleasing to God. Do not follow a multitude to do evil (Exodus 23:2). Do not do what is simply pleasing in your own sight (Proverbs 3:7). Remember, there are only two paths for you to follow. One leads to destruction and the other leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.