The verse
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
In the King James Version the word is keep. Many newer translations say guard, which is where the phrase comes from.
What it means
Your heart is where your choices start, so you watch what you let into it. Guarding your heart is not shutting everyone out. It means being careful and wise: you watch what he does, not just what he says, and you give your trust a little at a time as it is earned.
What it looks like when you are dating
- You notice if his actions match his words over weeks, not days.
- You keep your friends, your church and your own walk with God.
- You pray before you decide, not after.
- You let a no be a no, including your own.
A short prayer
Lord, help me keep my heart with all diligence. Give me eyes to see clearly and patience to wait for what is good. In Jesus' name, amen.
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Questions women ask
What does guard your heart mean in the Bible?
It comes from Proverbs 4:23, which in the King James Version says: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. It means watching carefully over your inner life, because your choices flow from it.
Does guarding your heart mean not dating?
No. It means dating with wisdom: going slowly, watching whether actions match words, and staying close to God and to people who love you.
Where is guard your heart in the Bible?
Proverbs 4:23. Philippians 4:7 also speaks of God's peace that shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.