Guard Against Attack - Wholly Loved - Dec. 26

Guard Against Attack
By Dawn Tolbert

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Before our first trip overseas, we were warned to watch out for pickpockets. I bought a cross-body purse for our passports. Any time we were in crowds, I kept my hand over the zippered top to have an extra measure of protection. My husband learned to keep a close watch on his wallet as well.

We didn’t want to leave ourselves vulnerable.

As important as it was to keep our travel documents and money secure, it’s even more important for us to protect ourselves from spiritual attack. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to guard our hearts. Like a bulletproof vest that protects our physical hearts, we need to put on spiritual armor to protect the center of our being.

Note that we should do this “above all else.” Guarding our hearts is a crucial component of our spiritual lives because, as the verse adds, everything we do flows from there.

Today’s verse instructs the individual. Being on guard is in our power; we need to do it. But how?

Like our experience with traveling, a first step is being aware of potential dangers and temptation.

If we were facing a physical attack, we’d seek shelter and the help of someone stronger and more powerful. Thankfully, God is ready to protect us. We need to draw close to Him through prayer and Bible study and ask for His help.

We also need to be mindful of how we care for our hearts daily and thoroughly examine ourselves to see if our thoughts or choices leave us vulnerable. Ask God today to teach you how to guard your heart and thank Him for His constant protection.

Dawn Tolbert is a contributor to Wholly Loved Ministries Daily Devotional, a Christ-follower who writes to honor God, thank Him for His goodness, and encourage readers by sharing her faith journey. She works in higher education public relations and is writing her first novel and her first book-length Bible study. She has earned a B.A. in Communication Studies and English (Gardner-Webb College), a M.A. in Professional Writing (Kennesaw State University), and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership (Union University). She and her husband, Larry, live in Cedartown, Georgia, and serve actively in their church. Dawn blogs at dawntolbert.com.

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