How to Keep the Heart

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Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Inasmuch as the heart is the most important part of a man — for out of it are the issues of life — it is natural that it should be the object of Satan's perpetual attacks.

I. THAT WHICH KEEPS THE HEART AND MIND.

1. The peace of God, the peace existing between the child of God and his Judge through his Saviour, from whence flows peace of conscience.

2. This peace passeth all understanding.

(1) See how it keeps those who are in the depth of poverty while many rich are distracted.

(2) The bereaved, when those who have Dot suffered are gnawed with fear.

(3) The confessors, Luther, Huss, Bradford — while popes and kings tremble.

II. HOW IS THIS PEACE TO BE OBTAINED. This promise has precepts (see ver. 4).

1. Rejoice ever more. The man who never rejoices is always murmuring. Cultivate a cheerful disposition.

2. Be moderate. Merchant, you cannot push that speculation too far, and have peace of mind. Young man, you cannot be trying so fast to rise in the world, and have the fear of God. You must be moderate in anger, in expectations, etc.

3. Be careful for nothing, etc. If you tell your troubles to God you put them into the grave. If you roll them anywhere else they will roll back again like the stone of Sisyphus. Cast your troubles where you have cast your sins, into the depths of the sea.

III. HOW THIS PEACE KEEPS THE HEART.

1. It keeps the heart full of that love which casteth out all fear.

2. It keeps the heart pure, without the least relish for sin, which is the soul's disturbance.

3. It keeps it undivided, and thus saves it from distraction.

4. It keeps it rich, and thus renders it secure from anxiety.

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