Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Other translations say the heart is the wellspring of life. In other words, everything you do in life flows from the motivations of your heart. And this passage in Proverbs 4 makes that clear.
Solomon says your heart influences your words: “Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly” (4:24). Your heart influences your goals: “Let your eyes look forward (4:25). Your heart influences your actions: “Carefully consider the path for your feet” (4:26). And your heart influences your morality: “Keep your feet away from evil” (4:27).
Everything in your life starts with your heart. That’s why it’s such good news that God has given you a new heart: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
You started out in life with a heart of stone, but God has given you a new heart of flesh through the indwelling power of his Holy Spirit and the grace of Jesus Christ. You don’t need to be stuck in the same old habits, old attitudes, and old sins. You have a brand new heart! It’s time to put it to use.