Re : How do I guard my heart?

Thanks to Shlomoh for expounding more on this truth. It is so clearly define and whatever he has said is indeed wisdom in it self. I hope you guys will be blessed too by what the Lord had shown him five years ago when he ask the same question, "How do I guard my heart?" =)
In reply to my previous post :
Yes. The meaning of guarding in it's native form are

- To prevent anything harmful from entering. In the context that you mentioned, it would be to prevent thoughts that are not according to the Word of God, or prevent thoughts that make you not the person what the bible says you are. or prevent thoughts that doesn't build faith but gives in to fear.

- To watch over so as to prevent escape of good things that you should be keeping. Again, in the context that you mentioned earlier, it would be we must keep thinking of good things (not being positive here) but what I meant is to keep thinking of the truth. The kind of truth that the bible talks about and the same truths that the Holy Spirit leads you to.

You might be interested in Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Verse 4 to 6 is the answer to your original question. However, Apostle Paul added the word 'Finally' in the beginning of verse 8 to suggest something he wanted to add on. Verse 8 is all about thinking about things that is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, ... ...

Guard your thought life. Because most emotions started with a thought and it was then transferred to the heart and kept in the heart and then out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth confesses. So generally from what people are saying, you do know what they were thinking.

Anyway, I too ask this question about 5 years ago. How do I like verse 8 says, keep thinking of the good things? The answer is (as much as possible) to be around with people and in an environment that promotes those thoughts and feelings. So I like to be around certain people. =) Certain people whose talking promotes good thoughts.

Shalom.
Shlomoh

Right after I post this, I went to my room and reach out for a book under my shelf. I realised that I actually took out a different book from the one I wanted. Randonly I flip it and it was the chapter on having peace in our hearts! Here's a few to bless you with =)

"...Instead of getting upset and responding emotionally, we should keep out eyes on God and seek His peace in all circumstances. That's why Isaiah said God would keep us in perfect peace if we would keep our minds on Him (Isaiah 26:3)

 And Jesus said, In me ye...have peace(John16:33)

"If peace be in the heart," wrote Charles Francis Richardson, "the wildest winter storm is full of solemn beauty, the midnight flash but shows the path of duty, each living creature tells some new and joyous story, the very trees and stones all catch a ray of glory, if peace be in the heart"..."

Don Clowers

You, Lord, give true peace.

You give peace to those who depend on you.

You give peace to those who trust you.

Isaiah 26:3(ICB)

I used to wonder how does peace comes. Do I take a slower breath? =) Tell myself not to worry? Stay calm. Or simply not be in a hurry. Or even stay out of stressful situation.

But true peace comes like how Isaiah says it is when our minds are on Him. It's when we wholely depend and trust in Him to take care of our needs =) Selah.