When you hear the words “guard your heart,” you probably think of a Christian dating conversation—maybe a friend warning you about that guy or girl who seems like trouble.
But in a recent video, Bible teacher Isaiah Saldivar tore down that narrow view and took us deeper into Proverbs 4:23, uncovering a rich and powerful truth that’s far more than romantic advice.
“This is not just a verse about dating,” Saldivar said. “We use this as a romantic-sounding quote… but the passage is about guarding your inner life.”
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Saldivar explained that the biblical heart isn’t just about emotions or feelings, it represents the entirety of your inner life: your thoughts, values, desires and will. “The heart in the Bible is not talking about your organ that’s pumping blood,” he said. “It’s the inner person. My desires, my values—that’s my heart.”
Referencing the broader context of Proverbs 4, Saldivar walked through verses 20 to 27 and emphasized that this section is really about spiritual discipline, not romantic discretion. “Verse 23 talks about your thoughts, your values and desires—they are going to direct your life,” he said. And that’s where the weight of this Scripture hits hardest.
He connected the dots for everyday believers, reminding us that every single action begins as a thought. “Every building you’ve ever seen started with a thought. Every car you ever saw started with a thought… Every decision you’ve made in life started with a thought.”
In other words, if we don’t guard what’s going on in our minds and spirits, we’re giving the enemy an open door.
For Saldivar, guarding your heart isn’t about being timid. It’s about spiritual vigilance—about knowing what influences you and being bold enough to walk away.
“I’m not going to watch that movie because I’m guarding my heart,” he said. “There are movies I’ve watched, and I’m like, ‘I shouldn’t have watched that.’ I should have guarded my heart better.”
He wasn’t shy about calling it out: ungodly conversations, worldly entertainment, even social media like TikTok or Instagram can infiltrate your heart if you’re not paying attention. And once the wrong thoughts take root, they begin to steer your entire life.
“The heart is the gateway to your actions, your speech and the direction of your life,” he said. “Guard what you’re watching, what you’re listening to, what you’re meditating on. What is shaping your life—is it the Word of God?”
So yes, Proverbs 4:23 can be applied to dating—but its true power is revealed when we realize it’s about all of life. It’s a call to holiness. It’s a command to be vigilant. It’s a warning to protect the gates to your soul.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
