​January 27

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life — Prov. 4:23.
 
It is not sufficient that we acknowledge sin in its various forms to be evil, and that we resolve that we will strive against it, because it is under the Lord's ban. In addition to this we are to root out of our hearts every longing, every desire for everything not thoroughly approved by the Lord. Oh, what a cleansing this would mean in the hearts and lives, and especially in the thoughts of many who have named the name of Christ! Many who fail to note this point find themselves continually beset by temptations, because, while outwardly avoiding gross immoralities, they secretly harbor sympathies for things condemned, desiring that they might have them, if only they were not forbidden—Z '99, 140 (R 2479).
 
The heart must be guarded with all diligence, both with regard to what enters and what leaves it. With great attention and care should we keep evil out of the heart and seek to fill it with good. So doing our lives will result in good, and not in evil. For as a man thinketh in his heart so is he! Our characters are thus formed, and our destinies are thus determined—P '26, 190.
 
Parallel passages: Deut. 5:29; 6:5, 6; 1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 12:14; Psa. 22:26; 31:10; 57:7; Prov. 14:30; 16:1; Jer. 17:9, 10; Matt. 5:8; 9:4; 15:18, 19; Rom. 2:5; 10:8; Heb. 3:8; 4:12.

Hymns: 183, 130, 125, 78, 136, 1, 13.
Poems of Dawn, 111: Watch and Pray.
Tower Reading: Z '11, 396 (R 4904).

Questions: Have I been diligently keeping my heart this week? What helped or hindered? What were the effects?

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WATCH AND PRAY

CHRISTIAN, seek not yet repose,
Hear thy gracious Savior say,
"Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray."

Principalities and powers
Mustering their unseen array,
Watch for thine unguarded hours:
"Watch and pray."

Gird thy heavenly armor on,
Wear it ever, night and day;
Ambush'd lies the Evil One:
"Watch and pray."

Hear, above all, hear thy Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within thy heart His words:
"Watch and pray."

Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray that help may be sent down:
"Watch and pray."