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Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
This verse of scripture cautions the believer to be very careful with his heart! The heart commonly refers to the mind as the center of thinking and reason. But it also incudes the emotions, the will, actually the whole inner person. The heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects speech and conduct. It is not difficult to understand why we are told to take good care of our hearts!
With Proverbs 4:23 in mind, now let's look at Ephesians 4:31 - "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" Let's take this statement apart; bitterness - a smoldering resentment, wrath - has to do with rage, the passion of a moment, anger - is a more internal, deep hostility, clamor - is the outcry of strife out of control, slander - evil speaking and malice- is the general Greek term for evil, the root of all vices.
It is safe to conclude that we are to guard our hearts against all of these. The root of bitterness can spring up when the seed of hurt, disappointment, rejection, betrayal, or ridicule is planted. You must not allow your heart to be soil suitable for the planting of this type of seed. We have the answer in the Word of God so that we don't have to live in bitterness. It is spelled out in Romans 12:14-21 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:14-21).
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