In Proverbs, chapter four, verse twenty-three, the heart is a well-spring of desire and decision. Following God and knowing His ways involve a resolute decision to remain committed to Him, seeking His kingdom and righteousness first, as in Matthew six, verse thirty-three. Suppose our hunger and thirst for God and His kingdom are declining. In that case, we should reevaluate our priorities, acknowledge our lukewarmness, and earnestly pray for a renewed desire for God and His favor. Failure to “keep” our hearts results in a departure from the paths of safety and entrapment in a destructive snare, as in Proverbs seven, verses twenty-four through twenty-seven. To watch over our hearts with all diligence results in all our ways being established in His favor and grace, as in verses twenty-five to twenty-seven of this theme chapter.
The theme verse, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life,” is under The Command to Obtain Wisdom section. The heart is where it all begins, and the gateway to that inner part is the eyes and ears. These two senses are like television that can change the heart.
For believers, there are two ways: the broadway and the narrow way. In Matthew seven, verse fourteen gives the scripture for those who desire to follow Jesus Christ. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Jesus taught that most of the multitude would not follow Him on the road that led to life. Those who enter the humble gate of repentance and deny themselves to follow Jesus, sincerely endeavor to obey His commands, earnestly seek His kingdom and His righteousness, and persevere until the end of faith, purity, and love are not many but few.