Guard your heart

Ethan and Aaron had both met at a café on campus for their lunch break.

“I want you to read this interesting book”, Ethan said and passed a book to Aaron.

Aaron looked at the title – “10 proofs that Jesus had a wife”.

“No thanks, I would rather not read this book”, Aaron said and passed the book back to Ethan.

“Why not? Wait, I know. And that’s the problem I have with you Christians. You don’t read non-Christian materials and that’s why you are so ignorant about a lot of things”, Ethan said.

“You know that’s not true. We have read lots of different kinds of books together”, Aaron replied.

“Come off it! I am not talking about those kinds of materials”, Ethan said.

“I see what you mean; still, no, thanks”, Aaron insisted.

Paul the Apostle wrote to Timothy, “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

We are surrounded with innovations, trends and advancements in health, technology, religion, and other fields of human activities. We have to increasingly deal with new information from all these sources. The way we process and interact with the information we receive will determine how they affect our thoughts and actions. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are guided by the word of God, so we do not stray from the faith because of so-called knowledge.

 In Proverbs 4:23, we are encouraged to “keep your [our] heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). This means we need to be watchful and selective of what goes inside our heart. We cannot simply allow anything that weakens or pollutes our faith in our quest for knowledge.

Let us be watchful so we do not give in to ungodly persuasions in things that will lead us away from God. Remember, “my son, if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10).

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8).