Perimeters

     Above all else, guard your heart,
       for it is the wellspring of life.
     Put away perversity from your mouth;
       keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
     Let your eyes look straight ahead,
       fix your gaze directly before you.
     Make level paths for your feet
       and take only ways that are firm.
     Do not swerve to the right or the left;
       keep your foot from evil.
        ~ Proverbs 4:23-27


Walking with God is a narrow road. If you step off, you’ll fall into the pit. But when you follow exactly where God leads, you’ll stay on the path. Where else would you go? This passage talks about several perimeters that help keep you away from sin and on God’s path.
At the center is your heart. It’s the “wellspring of life” (v23). Protect it at all costs. It’s vulnerable on its own. That’s why you need the defensive perimeters.
The first perimeter is the mouth. “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Mt 12:34). Your heart affects what comes out of your mouth, but what you communicate can also have an effect on your heart. Make the conscious decision to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth” (Eph 4:29). Control what you communicate by both your words and your actions.
The next perimeter is the eyes. Look straight ahead. This reminds me of a stretch of highway in Dallas with a lot of billboards for strip clubs. Whenever I drive through there, I look straight ahead so there’s not even a chance of me looking at something I know I shouldn’t. Similarly, Satan throws up distractions in your life trying to lead you astray, even if only in your heart. Don’t be distracted. I’ve heard guys say “it’s okay if I look, I just won’t touch.” I say don’t even look. That goes for any sin. Don’t look longingly at the sewage and filth that is sin.
The final perimeter is the feet. Don’t go near sin. When you’re trying to save money, you don’t go to your favorite store to “just look”; you’ll probably end up buying something. “Be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left” (Deut 5:32). An alcoholic shouldn’t go to a bar and expect not to be tempted to drink. Don’t go near sin – physically or mentally – especially whatever particularly tempts you.
I don’t like writing a list of things not to do and certainly not without telling what to do. So here are your actions, your takeaway:

• Stay away from sin with your body and your mind.


• Keep your eyes from looking at sinful things so you won’t desire them.


• Keep your lips pure from anything unwholesome.

“Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” so that you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:9,3).

Read further:
Proverbs 4:23-27; Matthew 12:34-35; Ephesians 4:29; Deuteronomy 5:32; Romans 12:3, 9