Jewels of Wisdom: Fortifying the Fortress: Practical Ways to Guard Your Heart Against Worldly Influences

In a world saturated with competing values and fleeting trends, guarding our hearts against worldly influences is a daily battle. The allure of materialism, the seductive whispers of instant gratification, and the constant barrage of information can easily erode our spiritual foundations. With the onslaught of many social media platforms, the carefully curated instagram posts, livestreams of indulgence, and edited photos of perfection, it is easy to compromise our morals and values because we think all these images are representative of reality, when actually it is carefully crafted to suck you into the abyss; a dark world of materialism, sex, greed, and godlessness. We have become like a child in a candy store. All that we see, we want! Sometimes to our demise! Our need for instant gratification and materialism has eroded our relationship with GOD. We have culturally appropriated and culturally assimilated into this nation’s way of life, and are too blind to recognize it. Jeremiah 10:2 specifically warns us, the children of Israel, not to learn any of the ways of the heathens. But just as a fortress protects its inhabitants, we can fortify our hearts with practical strategies to remain anchored in GOD’S enduring truth. Proverbs 4:23 says: “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it are the sources of life.” How do we guard our hearts from the lures of temptation? Here are some ways we can safeguard our relationship with our Elohim:

1. Diligently Study Scripture:

The Word of GOD is our ultimate defense. Psalm 119:11 declares, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Regular Bible study and memorization are essential for renewing our minds and aligning our hearts with GOD’S will.

• Practical Tip: Dedicate specific times each day for Bible reading and meditation. Consider using a Bible reading plan or journaling prompts (bible study questions or suggestions designed to inspire and guide your writing style) to deepen your understanding. You can begin by studying a scripture or two each day in one specific book and chapter of the Hebrew Bible, then expand your reading as your knowledge and understanding increases.

2. Cultivate a Strong Prayer Life:

Prayer is our direct line of communication with GOD, and no we don’t have to have an intercessor in order for our prayers to be heard. Through prayer, we seek His guidance, confess our weaknesses or sins, and receive His strength to resist temptation. Psalm 130:1 & 2 declares, “From the deep water I cry out to you, O YAH; YAH, listen to me! Pay attention to my plea for mercy.”

• Practical Tip: Establish a consistent prayer routine. For more detailed information, read my blog post titled: ‘The Prayer Challenge’ to help you establish a ‘prayer’ routine. When praying, find a quiet place where you can connect with GOD without interruption. Speak from your heart! It doesn’t have to be perfect but it does have to be genuine. Consider using prayer journals or expand on some of the prayers on my blog. 

3. Choose Your Influences Wisely:

The company we keep and the media we consume significantly impact our hearts. Proverbs 13:20 warns, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” So aptly said! Also, Exodus 23:2 warns, “You must not follow a crowd in doing evil things.”

• Practical Tip: Be selective about your friendships and the entertainment you consume. Prioritize relationships with godly individuals and choose media that aligns with your values. Unfollow social media accounts that promote worldly values and consumerism. Consumerism emphasizes the importance of individuals spending money and acquiring goods and services, and that happiness and well-being are tied to acquiring material possessions.

4. Practice Gratitude and Contentment:

Materialism breeds discontentment. When constantly seeking to acquire the newest iPhone, the latest brand name shoes, clothes, jewelry, etc., it’s easy to become distracted with what we don’t have and don’t need. We are busy working to acquire what we see others have and don’t take the time to appreciate what we already have. We spend time and effort working to acquire on a constant basis, but when do we spend time to enjoy the fruits of our labor, because, let’s face reality, there will always be the latest iPhone, the newest name brand of shoes, clothing, etc. This is how we get on the neverending cycle of consumerism. Practicing gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering contentment and protecting us from the allure of worldly possessions. 

• Practical Tip: Keep a gratitude journal. I have that challenge already cued for next month. Write down three things you're thankful for each day. Practice giving generously. Donate money and time to charitable causes. When your mind is focused on the needs of the poor, needy, elderly, and vulnerable in society, we then find gratitude in our lives.

5. Prioritize Spiritual Disciplines:

Spiritual disciplines like fasting, solitude, and service strengthen our spiritual muscles and equip us to resist temptation. These disciplines help us to focus on GOD, and not on the world.

• Practical Tip: Incorporate regular fasting into your routine. Fasting is not specifically tied to 24 hours. It could be 12 daylight hours, 12 nighttime hours, or 8 hours. You determine your preference. Also, fasting is not relegated to food. You can start a fast against social media, television, gossiping, being idle with your time, eating out, consumerism, etc. Spend time in solitude to reflect and pray. This helps us to refine our values and strengthen our morals. Find opportunities to serve others in your community. This contributes to the well-being of those around you; it enriches your own life, and fosters a sense of purpose. By doing so, you are investing in the health of the community, and building a stronger more resilient place to live. It also allows you to grow by learning new skills, and gaining new perspectives. 

6. Seek Accountability:

We are not meant to fight this battle alone. Proverbs 27:17 states, "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Having a trusted friend or mentor to hold us accountable provides support and encouragement. Please don’t befriend or ask a person who is more righteous than GOD because he or she will be a continual nuisance and “kill” your spirit with their very critical opinions; always pointing out your missteps, flaws, and sins without encouraging you to do better next time.

• Practical Tip: Join a small group or find a mentor you can confide in. Share your struggles and ask for prayer, but be very careful when asking for prayers in a public setting. Read my blog post on gossiping: 'The Serpent's Tongue'.

7. Renew Your Mind Regularly:

Psalm 1:2 declares, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” This is a continual process. Understand that mental renewal of the Word of GOD is not a singular event, but a lifelong journey of growth, requiring patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace change. Cultivate a garden of thought, where seeds of wisdom are sown daily, and weeds of negativity are diligently uprooted. Recognize that the mind, like a river, can become stagnant, therefore, allow fresh streams of wisdom, knowledge and understanding to flow through it. Most importantly, anchor your thoughts in timeless principles of godliness, and let discernment be your mental guide. Seek out sources of truth, whether through holy scriptures, insightful teachers, or meditation, and allow them to shape your perspective. 

• Practical Tip: Regularly examine your thought patterns and challenge any worldly beliefs that have crept in. Replace them with GOD’S truth. We should consistently, whether on a yearly or semi-yearly basis, reexamine our path, our friendships, our associations, and our beliefs, and if they don’t align with a GODLY lifestyle, then we have wandered off the path of truth righteousness. We should always seek to consistently cleanse our lives of all meaningless relationships and behaviors that are contrary to GOD.

Guarding our hearts is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. By implementing these practical strategies, we can strengthen our spiritual defenses and remain steadfast in our pursuit of GOD’S will.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. Shalom