Developing Self-Control: Guarding Your Heart

Proverbs 4:23 >>
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Proverbs 23:19 >>
Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.

Genesis 4:1-7 >>
1 Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.”
2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.
3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD.
4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,
5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?
7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

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1. Cain murdered Abel because he did not guard his heart. He did not give the best he had to God and saw that God gave favor to his brother who did. Instead of repenting and later giving God the best, Cain was jealous and killed his brother. “Sin (was) crouching at (his) door,” and he let it in.
2. The emotional problems that effect me the most in regards to matters of the heart and mind is probably pride and bitterness and dissatisfaction. I need to TALK IT OUT. Communication is key to prevent any misunderstandings and oust any flames of wrath.
3. When my heart is not at peace, I’m still able to have some self control but I’m much happier and I think more effective of a person when my heart IS at peace. I can make decisions better because my heart can be at peace and not confused.(Memorize Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”)