Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
I know this isn't the season, but today's verse reminds me of the 1966 Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, written by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel). My favorite part of the movie is the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Here are some selected lyrics stating the status of the Grinch's soul:
You're a bad banana
With a greasy black peel
You're a monster, Mr. Grinch
Your heart's an empty hole
Your brain is full of spiders
You've got garlic in your soul
You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch
You're a nasty, wasty skunk
Your heart is full of unwashed socks
Your soul is full of gunk
The three words that best describe you
Are as follows and I quote, "Stink, stank, stunk"…
The story's happy conclusion is when Mr. Grinch recognizes the error of his ways; he had his heart grow three sizes that day. (Medically, an enlarged heart is not good, but we will stick with the moral, not the science.)
In today's verse, we are told to protect our hearts vigilantly. But, unfortunately, it is easy to yield to temptation and let the non-essential things of life get in the way of our relationship with God. Instead of filling our hearts and souls with the purity of the Holy Spirit, like the Grinch, we let our hearts become empty or filled with garlic, unwashed socks, and gunk!
Why is it so essential to guard our souls? First, there is peace that comes in Christ from living righteously. All that nasty wasty stuff can't take residence when it is filled with goodness. Secondly, our actions reflect the contents of our hearts; the way we interact with others, the reflection of Christ that people see, comes from within us.
God, thank you for the Holy Spirit. We admit we are tempted by the things that are not good for the health of our souls. Please help us turn away from those temptations. Create in us a pure heart. Fill us today with the Holy Spirit; sweep away all those things that hinder us from a right relationship with you. And may we be obedient to the Holy Spirit in directing our actions. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-song-lyrics-youre-a-mean-one-mr-grinch-dr-seuss/
