☕ Food for Thought: GUARD YOUR HEART ❤️

Good morning, family and friends.

As I sit here with my coffee and Bible this morning, I'm continuing to think about the Whole Armor of God.

We've talked about truth, but knowing the truth isn't enough. We have to LIVE it.

The Bible says:

"...having on the breastplate of righteousness;" — Ephesians 6:14 KJV

Think about what a breastplate protected on a soldier—some of the most vital parts of his body, including his heart.

And spiritually, God tells us:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." — Proverbs 4:23 KJV

That really makes me stop and think.

What am I allowing into my heart?

Righteousness doesn't mean we're perfect. Lord knows I'm not! It means I'm trying each day to make choices that line up with God's truth and please Him.

It's one thing to say, "I believe the Bible."

It's another thing to ask:

Does the way I live show that I believe it?

What I watch.

What I listen to.

How I speak to people.

How I react when I'm angry.

What I do when nobody is watching.

The choices I make when I'm tempted.

The things I allow into my mind and heart.

All of it matters.

The enemy would love nothing more than to get into our hearts through bitterness, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, pride, compromise, or sin that we've convinced ourselves isn't really that serious.

And sometimes we spend so much time looking at everybody else's life that we forget to examine our own.

I'm learning to pray:

"Lord, before You show me what's wrong with everybody else, show me what needs changing in ME."

That's not always an easy prayer. ❤️

The Bible says:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." — Psalm 51:10 KJV

I don't want to simply talk about Jesus.

I want my choices to show that I'm trying to follow Him.

Will I stumble? Absolutely.

Will I get things wrong? Yes.

But when God shows me something isn't right, I don't want to justify it. I want to repent, get back up, and keep walking with Him.

That's part of putting on the Breastplate of Righteousness.

So this morning I'm checking my own heart.

Lord, is there something I've allowed in that doesn't belong there?

Is there someone I need to forgive?

Is there an attitude I need to change?

Is there something I'm doing that I know doesn't please You?

Am I living the truth that I say I believe?

🙏 Lord, guard my heart today. Show me anything in my life that doesn't please You. Help my decisions, words, attitudes, and actions line up with Your Word. When I fall, help me repent and get back up. I don't want to simply know Your truth—I want to LIVE it. Create in me a clean heart and help me become more like You every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

❤️ I'm preaching to myself this morning too.

Knowing the truth is important.LIVING the truth is righteousness.

So before I worry about somebody else's heart today, I'm going to ask God to examine mine.

Put on your Breastplate of Righteousness. Guard your heart. And LIVE what you say you believe. ❤️

— SarahAgape Love Daily