Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts. If you read on, you’ll see that verses 24 through 27 tell us how to do it.

Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Proverbs 4:24 (New International Version, NIV)

This can refer to a number of types of wrong talking, such as gossip, slander, speaking negatively, making sexual comments, speaking doubt, unbelief, or lies. We guard our hearts by guarding the words we speak forth from our mouths. Speak good, wholesome, edifying, life-giving words. This will protect and guard your heart from wrong things entering in and taking your heart captive.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25 (New International Version, NIV)

We are to fix our eyes straight ahead- why? Because what we focus on is what we will go after, which sets the course of our lives. We need to gaze on, or focus on, Jesus, rather than sin.

Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Proverbs 4:26 (New Living Translation, NLT)

How do we do this? We stay on a safe path by basing our decisions on God’s Word.

Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Proverbs 4:27 (New Living Translation, NLT)

We accomplish this by listening to the Lord, not to the devil or to people. We guard our thoughts, eyes, and ears from external influences. By this, God and His Word influence our decsions and the direction of our lives.

The right input and going in the right direction will guard our hearts.