For the summer months, we will be looking at select passages from another Old Testament "wisdom book", the book of Proverbs. Studying the book of Proverbs is a wise thing (pun intended), but it is important to always keep the proper perspective on the book. The book of Proverbs is different from the other wisdom books (Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon) that offer more abstract wisdom to handle issues broader than general human experience. Proverbs focuses on practical wisdom handling everyday issues and experiences of life. However, it can still be challenging to develop a proper understanding of its teachings.

Scripture References: Luke 11:9-10, Proverbs 19:1, Acts 17:26, Matthew 7:7-8, Proverbs 10:4, Psalms 22:28, Genesis 22:7-8, Proverbs 20:4, Psalms 135:6, Philippians 4:19, Proverbs 25:14, Daniel 4:35, Psalms 121:1-2, Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:4, Psalms 75:6-7, Proverbs 3:5, Psalms 11:6, Proverbs 17:23, Psalms 139:1-13, Proverbs 16:1-33

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From Series: "A Study of Proverbs"

Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." The heart that Solomon wrote about is not the physical organ beating within our chests. He is speaking about that invisible seat within our soul from which our emotions, desires, affections and intents flow. The heart is the cockpit or dashboard of the soul. The writers of the Bible refer to this part of our lives as "the heart" because it mirrors the importance of our physical beating heart. Everything else in life flows out of it. All aspects of our lives rely on a healthy spiritual heart, and Solomon tells us that we should be guarding our heart. We are to guard our hearts because the "issues of life", pour out of it. The word used for "issues" here refers to anything that comes from or out of another thing. The importance is clear when he says everything else comes out of the heart. As believers, how should we handle our heart and why?

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Chronicles 12:14, Psalms 119:11, 2 Samuel 24:10, Proverbs 3:5, Genesis 6:5, Psalms 51:1-19, Ephesians 1:18, 2 Samuel 15:6, Proverbs 7:1-4, Mark 12:30, Exodus 9:7, Proverbs 4:20-23, Proverbs 4:23, Romans 10:9, Proverbs 4:24-27, Luke 12:34

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Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." The heart that Solomon wrote about is not the physical organ beating within our chests. He is speaking about that invisible seat within our soul from which our emotions, desires, affections and intents flow. The heart is the cockpit or dashboard of the soul. The writers of the Bible refer to this part of our lives as "the heart" because it mirrors the importance of our physical beating heart. Everything else in life flows out of it. All aspects of our lives rely on a healthy spiritual heart, and Solomon tells us that we should be guarding our heart. We are to guard our hearts because the "issues of life", pour out of it. The word used for "issues" here refers to anything that comes from or out of another thing. The importance is clear when he says everything else comes out of the heart. As believers, how should we handle our heart and why?

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 16:7, 2 Chronicles 12:14, Psalms 119:11, 2 Samuel 24:10, Proverbs 3:5, Genesis 6:5, Psalms 51:1-19, Ephesians 1:18, 2 Samuel 15:6, Proverbs 7:1-4, Mark 12:30, Exodus 9:7, Proverbs 4:20-23, Proverbs 4:23, Romans 10:9, Proverbs 4:24-27, Luke 12:34

More Messages from James Sumpter | Download Audio

From Series: "A Study of Proverbs"