Pastor Nate Brosher
Mar 2, 2025
Proverbs 4:23-27 NLT - 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. 27 Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
1. Guard your heart.
The writer said to “Guard our heart because it determines the course of our life.”
Luke 6:45 ESV - 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
■ How do we address our heart?
■ What are you sowing into your heart?
Psalm 119:11 ESV - 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
2. Avoid perversion and corruption.
Proverbs 4:24-25 NLT - 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
1Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV - 33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
■ “Bad company ruins good morals.” - Apostle Paul.
“You can be saved and yet have an inadequate understanding of God until you see glimpses of His vision.”– John Piper
3. Are you sidetracked?
Proverbs 4:27 NLT - 27 Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
■ The enemy is always attempting to distract us.
Luke 21:34-35 NLT - 34 "Watch out! Don't let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, 35 like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.
■ Symptoms of being sidetracked.
1. Spiritual dryness: Feeling depleted or empty, or feeling far from God.
2. Spiritual distress: Feeling unable to find meaning, peace, comfort, strength, or connection in life.
3. Spiritual indifference: Being too focused on self-interest to hear others' needs.
Psalm 61:2-4 NLT - 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, 3 for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. 4 Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!