Skip to content
Millington Baptist Church
Millington Baptist Church
  • about
      • Sermon Series
        • Delicious,Apple,And,Orange,Slices,-,Superfood!
        • Up Next:
      • Times & Directions
        • Generic Sunday Service times 2021 169hd
      • About us
        • Vision Feature art grey 2022 169
      • Getting Connected
        • Newsletter,Email,Icon,Isolated,On,Special,Blue,Banner,Background,Abstract
      • Worship
        • Worship-arts-169HD-sm2
      • Staff & Leadership
        • Team Web Rotator
      • Baptism
        • Interested in Baptism 169HD
      • Membership
        • mbc membership
      • COVID 19 Campus Info
        • COVID-19 UPdates
  • ministries
      • Internships
        • Internships
      • Kids
        • MBC KIDS Postcard 169HD
        • Trunk or Treat-2021-16-9HD copy
        • SA Monumental 169 HR 2022 no dates
      • Teens
        • Summer Schedule 2022 169
        • Wednesdays the Rush
        • blog menu
      • Adults
        • small groups 2018 HD16
        • womens Feature Image 2018 Web 16.9HD
        • Adult-Sunday-School 2018 169HD
        • Young Adult 7pm 1st Sat Doc Marg Williams 16.9HD
        • senior-luncheon-master-16.9HD
        • Mens Ministries 2018 169HD
      • Underground Sessions
        • US Save The Dates 169hd
      • Care
        • Care team 2015 169hd
      • Stephen Ministry
        • Stephen Ministry 2017 169HD
      • Missions – World Partners
        • Missions Logo new page2 169HD
        • Senegal Missions banner 169HD 2021
        • 1st Choice 169HD
        • city relief 169HD-MBC-COMMS-LAPTOP2020
        • market Street Mission 169HD
        • Feedng Hands
        • kingdom Cars
      • MBC Unhindered
        • Unhindered 169hd
      • Little Footprints Learning Center
        • LFLC Postcard 2017 V2
  • media
      • Pastors Weekly Video
        • Weekly Pastors Video
      • Pastor’s Table Blog
        • Pastor’s Table 169hd
      • Sunday Service Live Stream
        • Live Stream 169HD 2020 9am no time
      • YouTube Channel
      • Facebook Live
      • Sermon Archive
  • events
  • prayer
  • give
      • MBC Giving
        • MBC Giving Slides_template 10 digit 2021b
      • Give Your Time & Efforts
        • Serving page alt 2 169
      • Year-End Giving for 2022
        • YEG Feature art 169
      • Give Help, Get Help
        • Give Get 169hd 2021
      • Support Ukraine
        • Support Ukraine 169
  • connect
      • Getting Connected
        • Newsletter,Email,Icon,Isolated,On,Special,Blue,Banner,Background,Abstract
      • Shared Interest Groups
        • Shared Interest Groups 169
      • Share your Gifts
        • Serving page alt With Webpage URL 169
  • log in
PrevPrevious EntryLesson # 6: “Choose the Way of Wisdom.” (Prov 4:10-19)
Next EntryLesson # 8: “Flee from Immorality!” (Prov 5:1-23)Next

BACK TO THE PASTOR’S TABLE

Lesson # 7: “Guard your Heart!” (Prov 4:20-27)

The beginning of Proverbs contains 10 lessons of wisdom (Ch. 1-9). Today we will examine lesson # 7 from Proverbs 4:20-27, beginning as usual with the familiar introductory words “My son…”

The main topic in this lesson is about “Guarding the heart.” In terms of a biblical anthropology, the “heart” is the “source” of all our other activity. Here it is called (in Hebrew) the fountain or “well spring.” (ESV “spring”) This term would be universally understood by the readers of Solomon’s time because you always had a water source in every human settlement. A city would be built around the wellspring, and then walls would be built around the city so the wellspring could be guarded and protected.

Friends, there is a wellspring or reservoir in each and every one of us, it’s called “the heart.” The Message translation reads, “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” Let’s look at the lesson as a whole: 

My son, pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

(Prov 4:20-27, NIV)

The overarching theme in this lesson has to do with the human anatomy. Notice all the parts of the human body that are mentioned: “the ear” (v 20), the “eyes” (v 21), the “mouth” (v 21), the “lips” (v 21), the “whole body” (v 22), the “feet” (v 26), and most importantly “the heart” (v 21 and v 23). The lesson here is that all of the entire self will need to be fully engaged in the task of living out God’s wisdom.

With our feet we are to make morally good decisions. The phrase “Do not turn” means no moral deviation, staying on the path of wisdom. Don’t swerve. Don’t go down the way of folly. There is no third way. (see Lesson # 6)

With our eyes we are to be careful what we allow into our lives. You may be familiar with the children’s song, “Be careful little eyes what you see.”

With our mouths we are to honor God. With our lips we are to stay away from corrupt talk. Why? Where does all of this behavior come from? It all comes from the wellspring. For example, you may recall that Jesus said in Matthew 12:35, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” – whether good or evil. In other words, when I let myself have a moment of unrestrained conversation, whatever comes out of my mouth is what’s in my heart. What one is and what one says are inseparable. Our words and actions all flow from somewhere … this leads us to the center of the lesson, the command to put a guard around the heart.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart!” Notice the phrase “above all else,” this command is supreme. A pastor and friend of mine, Peter Pendell, calls this the “mother of all battles.” The heart is the place where God works. This is where conviction takes place, at the heart level. This is what we are to “guard.” 

What are the signs and symptoms of a heart that is unguarded and in danger?

First, there are emotional signs, like low grade anger or depression. Or, there are signs that your emotions just went AWOL and aren’t there. You are flat-lined. You just “study and do” in a kind of robotic way. But you are just doing things out of duty, your heart isn’t in it.

Second, there are also relational signs. Those kinds of stoic or out of control emotions don’t make for good relational connection. You begin to hurt others as you become insensitive to where they are.

Friends, this is so important. God desires our hearts be guarded. It affects everything! Above all else, guard your heart! 

The Lesson:

You must post a guard around your heart today. You must be careful about what or who you allow in. You must also be careful about becoming too busy or carrying too heavy a load. You must be careful about what is most important to you. Anything other than God at the center of our being becomes idolatrous. Tim Keller’s book “Counterfeit gods” goes deeper into this issue. St. Augustine said it well, “Thou hast made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.”

Guard your Heart.

For further study on this, I would like to recommend watching this sermon by Peter Pendell on this topic. Next we will consider Lesson # 8.


The Ten Lessons of Wisdom: 

  • Introduction
  • Lesson # 1: “Reject the Enticement of Sinners” (Prov 1:8-33) – Part 1
  • Lesson # 1: “Reject the Enticement of Sinners” (Prov 1:8-33) Part 2
  • Lesson # 2: “Diligently Seek Wisdom … and You Will Experience Her Protective Benefits.” (Prov 2:1-22)
  • Lesson # 3: “Live before God with Consistency.” (Prov 3:1-12)
  • Lesson # 4: “Wisdom is a Tree of Life.” (Prov 3:13-35)
  • Lesson # 5: “Your Spiritual Inheritance Comes With a Price.” (Prov 4:1-9)
  • Lesson # 6: “Choose the Way of Wisdom.” (Prov 4:10-19)
  • Lesson # 7: “Guard your Heart!” (Prov 4:20-27)
  • Lesson # 8: “Flee from Immorality!” (Prov 5:1-23)
  • Lesson # 9: “Avoid three Kinds of Fools: “The Swindler,” “The Sluggard” and “The Sociopath.”” (Prov 6:1-19)
  • Lesson # 10: “If You Play With Fire, You Will Get Burned.” (Prov 6:20-35)
  • Conclusion: Two Invitations from Wisdom and Folly (Prov 7:1-9:18) – Part 1
  • Conclusion: Two Invitations from Wisdom and Folly (Prov 7:1-9:18) – Part 2
  • Conclusion: Two Invitations from Wisdom and Folly (Prov 7:1-9:18) – Part 3
Dave Hentschel

Dave Hentschel

David Hentschel serves as Lead Pastor: Preaching, Spiritual Formation and Care at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. He is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Juli enjoy three children.
PrevPrevious EntryLesson # 6: “Choose the Way of Wisdom.” (Prov 4:10-19)
Next EntryLesson # 8: “Flee from Immorality!” (Prov 5:1-23)Next

BACK TO THE PASTOR’S TABLE

Like what you see? Sign up to receive notifications from The Pastor's Table!
Loading
Like what you see? Sign up to receive notifications from The Pastor's Table!
Loading

Recent Entries

Loading...

Roe v. Wade is Overturned: How should Christians respond?

June 26, 2022
/
Dave Hentschel
This week the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively ending the nation's constitutional right to abortion and sending the issue back to the states. How should we as Christians make sense of this monumental news? Here at MBC, we are passionate about life...
Read More

Aren’t Christianity and Science Incompatible?

July 15, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
We are going through a sermon series at church discussing different worldviews. Many people in our culture believe that faith and science are opposed to one another. They see them as either mutually exclusive or even incompatible. I want to argue that that they are not only compatible, but they...
Read More

Top Five Lessons from the Book of Hebrews

June 29, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Almost 2,000 years ago, God inspired an amazing letter to be written, known today as the "Letter to the Hebrews." We just concluded a sermon series through the book of Hebrews this Spring, and before we move on I want to share the top five lessons I’ve taken away from...
Read More

Holy Week Devotions: Day Eight – Resurrection Sunday

April 4, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Day Eight: Resurrection Sunday Texts: (Matthew 28:1–20, Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–53, John 20:1–21:25.) Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! O Happy Day! As we come to the end of our Holy Week devotional series, we truly have saved the best for last. We actually have come to the beginning. A...
Read More

Holy Week Devotions: Day Seven – Holy Saturday

April 3, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Day Seven - Holy Saturday Text: (Matthew 27:62–66) The Saturday of Easter weekend is a "forgotten day." It is often overlooked compared to the rest of what is a very eventful week. Saturday is a day we don’t talk about much. It’s the day in between the darkest day in...
Read More

Holy Week Devotions: Day Six – Good Friday

April 2, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Day Six: Good Friday Texts: (Matthew 27:1–61, Mark 15:1–47, Luke 23:1–56, John 18:28–19:42.) The theme of today's devotional is the word "Love." Do you believe God loves you? Perhaps you've struggled receiving love in your life. Maybe even those closest to you have not been very loving. Maybe others have...
Read More
1 2 … 7 Next »

Roe v. Wade is Overturned: How should Christians respond?

This week the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively ending the nation’s constitutional right to abortion and sending the issue back to the states. How should we as Christians make sense of this monumental news? Here at MBC, we are passionate about life and we have prayerfully considered

Read More
Dave Hentschel June 26, 2022

Aren’t Christianity and Science Incompatible?

We are going through a sermon series at church discussing different worldviews. Many people in our culture believe that faith and science are opposed to one another. They see them as either mutually exclusive or even incompatible. I want to argue that that they are not only compatible, but they are locked together in a

Read More
Dave Hentschel July 15, 2021

Top Five Lessons from the Book of Hebrews

Almost 2,000 years ago, God inspired an amazing letter to be written, known today as the “Letter to the Hebrews.” We just concluded a sermon series through the book of Hebrews this Spring, and before we move on I want to share the top five lessons I’ve taken away from this amazing letter, this time

Read More
Dave Hentschel June 29, 2021
Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5
  • www.millingtonbaptist.org
  • mbc@millingtonbaptist.org
  • /millingtonchurch
  • /MBCNewJersey
  • www.millingtonbaptist.org
  • mbc@millingtonbaptist.org
  • facebook.com/millingtonchurch
  • twitter.com/MBCNewJersey
  • 520 King George Road | Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 | 908-647-0594
  • about
    • Sermon Series
      • Back
    • Times & Directions
      • Back
    • About us
      • Back
    • Getting Connected
      • Getting Connected
      • Back
    • Worship
      • Back
    • Staff & Leadership
      • Back
    • Baptism
      • Back
    • Membership
      • Back
    • COVID 19 Campus Info
      • MBC Indoor Gathering Plan, 9am & 10:15am
      • Back
    • Back
  • ministries
    • Internships
      • Internships
      • Back
    • Kids
      • MBC Kids
      • Trunk or Treat 2021
      • Summer Adventure July 11-15, 2022
      • Back
    • Teens
      • Teens
      • The Break
      • Rush Blog
      • Back
    • Adults
      • Small Groups
      • Women
      • Adult Education
      • Young Adults
      • Senior Luncheon
      • Men
      • Back
    • Underground Sessions
      • Underground Sessions
      • Back
    • Care
      • Back
    • Stephen Ministry
      • Back
    • Missions – World Partners
      • MBC Missions – World Partners
      • Senegal
      • First Choice
      • The Relief Bus
      • Market Street
      • Feeding Hands
      • Kingdom Cars
      • Back
    • MBC Unhindered
      • MBC Unhindered
      • Back
    • Little Footprints Learning Center
      • Back
    • Back
  • media
    • Pastors Weekly Video
      • Updates & Connection Opportunities
      • Back
    • Pastor’s Table Blog
      • Pastor’s Table Blog
      • Back
    • Sunday Service Live Stream
      • MBC Live
      • Back
    • YouTube Channel
    • Facebook Live
    • Sermon Archive
    • Back
  • events
  • prayer
  • give
    • MBC Giving
      • give
      • Back
    • Give Your Time & Efforts
      • Share your Gifts
      • Back
    • Year-End Giving for 2022
      • Year-End Giving for 2022
      • Back
    • Give Help, Get Help
      • Give Help, Get Help
      • Back
    • Support Ukraine
      • Support Ukraine
      • Back
    • Back
  • connect
    • Getting Connected
      • getting connected
      • Back
    • Shared Interest Groups
      • Shared Interest Groups
      • Back
    • Share your Gifts
      • Share your Gifts
      • Back
    • Back
  • log in