What does it mean that everything we do flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23)?

As we have noted, the heart is the center of all motives and activities. Little wonder then that we are admonished, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." Keeping the heart certainly involves carefully controlling the heart's desires, that it is not allowed to lead in devious ways. It produces "the issues of life" (v. 23), whether good or bad. But the person is given the responsibility of governing his heart. We all know this, though we may pay little attention to it.

"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). Is there deceit in the heart? If so, it will come out through the mouth (v. 24). Again, we are responsible to watch our words, therefore to put away a deceitful mouth and perverse lips. Our eyes too we are to keep subject to proper control, looking straight ahead, not attracted by the temptations on either side (v. 25). Also, pondering the path of our feet is to wisely consider the way in which to walk (v. 26). Only thus will our ways be established in subjection to the Lord. Let there be no turning to the right hand or to the left, to involve ourselves in anything that compromises our devotion to the Lord Jesus (v. 27). Our feet should be removed far from evil on either side.

Scripture shows that there is an intimate connection between the two, and that the heart exercises a considerable influence over the mind. When the declension of man from the knowledge of God to the darkness and corruption of heathendom is described, it is first stated that they "became vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened." It then follows that "even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind" (Rom. 1:21, 28). The heart foolish and darkened was the precursor of the reprobate mind. Again, the apostle prays for the Ephesians that God would give them "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your heart (not, "understanding" as in the A.V.) being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling," etc. So that it is clear that while the knowledge of God was lost through the darkening of the heart, the full knowledge of Him is now communicated through the enlightening of the heart. Since the heart therefore is the highway to every true and proper apprehension of the things of God, it is of the highest importance that the heart should be strictly guarded; even as it is said, "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. 4:23). So the apostle writes to the Philippians, "And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7), thus pointing out what alone can form an efficient garrison for the central citadel of man's nature.

For scripture uniformly teaches that the heart is the core of man's being. It is the seat of the affections and of the impulses that carry man forward in the path of life. The Lord Himself declared to those who were content to make clean the exterior of the platter that there is a fountain of uncleanness within, which they entirely ignored. It is from the heart that proceeds every thing that defileth (Matt. 15:19). The evil heart of the natural man therefore gives a colour to his every action; for it is thence the mischief springs (Matt. 5:28, 1 John 3:15). On the other hand, the heart of the renewed man is so to characterise every action that it may prove good and acceptable before God. As servants of Christ we are to do "the will of God from the heart" (Eph. 6:6). To this end the love of God has been "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). Indeed the very Spirit of God Himself is in our hearts to originate and characterise every affection. This the apostle teaches, "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6; 2 Cor. 1:22).

This fact is of great moment to such as have learnt the deceitfulness of the natural heart (Jer. 17:9). We are not left to ourselves to produce proper feelings Godward. He Who gives us right thoughts of God and the Father gives us right feelings too. For He is the Spirit of love as well as of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). It is He, Who fills the heart with such a sense of the incomparable love of God Rom. 5:5) that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. 12:34-35; Luke 6:45).

The Pharisees made clean the outside of the cup and platter, but that did not cleanse the inside, for it is that which comes from within defiles the man. The stream was bitter because the fountain was bitter; and the fruit was bad because the tree was bad. The fountain of a man’s defilement lies in his own heart. No attendance upon a religious ritual could be of any value. The mere fact of this only made men hypocrites. An appearance of sanctity and goodness might be, and had been, adopted by the Pharisees as an outward garb, leaving the seat of the disease untouched; but of what avail was that in the presence of One whose eye was upon the heart. And “out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). There is nothing to be gained by attention to that which is merely external. If the tree were good the fruit would be good, and if the fountain were sweet the stream would be sweet; and if the heart were pure the man would be pure also. Not that which entereth into a man defiles him, but that which comes out. “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man.”

This is the secret spring of all true service. If Christ has not the love of your heart, He does not want the labour of your hands. He does not say, "Son, give Me thy money, thy time, thy talents, thine energies, thy pen, thy tongue, thy head." All these are unavailing, unsatisfying to Him. What He says to you is, "My son, give Me thy heart." Where the heart is given to Jesus, all will come right. Out of the heart come all the issues of life; and if only Christ have His right place in the heart, the work and the ways, the walk and the character, will be all right.

But it all began with the heart. There is no doubt that the heart controls the man. The mind may tell you that such and such a course is not right, but it is the heart that carries the man.

Our subject is thoughts themselves and though we shall necessarily have much to say about the mind as the thinking organ, we must not forget that the ultimate control lies deeper still. “Out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts. …” (Mark 7:21) said the Lord Jesus. The word of God is “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

These words, quoted from Luke 12:45, are those of the evil servant, and are said “in his heart.” These inaudible heart expressions had not assumed an articulate form in such a way that others could hear them. They were none the less real, for, after all, the heart is the seat of affection and desire; and in that sense, when the desires are active, it commands the tongue. It is “out of the heart that the mouth speaketh.” Even supposing that no actual language be used, conduct corresponding to the desires of the heart will be displayed. Hence we need to “keep the heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” We long for the gratification of our hearts’ desires; we labour for them.

"And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart" — at the very source of all the issues of life. This is peculiarly precious. Whatever is in the heart comes out through the lips, and in the life. How important then, to have the heart full of the word of God, so full that we shall have no room for the vanities and follies of this present evil world. Thus shall our conversation be always with grace, seasoned with salt. "Out of the abundance of the heart the month speaks." Hence we can judge of what is in the heart by what comes out of the mouth. The tongue is the organ of the heart — the organ of the man. "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things." When the heart is really governed by the word of God, the whole character reveals the blessed result. It must be so, inasmuch as the heart is the main-spring of our entire moral condition; it lies at the centre of all those moral influences which govern our personal history and shape our practical career.

"Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them." Sad progress downward! The heart deceived. This is the beginning of all declension. "And ye turn aside." The feet are sure to follow the heart. Hence the deep need of keeping the heart with all diligence; it is the citadel of the whole moral being, and so long as it is kept for the Lord, the enemy can gain no advantage; but when once it is surrendered, all is really gone; there is the turning aside; the secret departure of the heart is proved by the practical ways; "other gods" are served and worshipped. The descent down along the inclined plane is terribly rapid.

Hence the call to "keep thy heart more than all thou guardest." The utmost vigilance is needed and due; "for out of it are the issues of life." Scripture ever and truly views the heart as the moral centre on which all outward conduct and walk depend. Hence the Lord in Luke 8 speaks of those who in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience; as in John 15 He said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you. Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you." This indeed is piety: to abide in Him who is life and salvation and peace, to have His words, yea not only obeyed but constantly cherished, with prayers going up and answers coming down accordingly. No wonder then that His Father is glorified, much fruit borne, and the Lord Jesus not ashamed to own such as His disciples.