Steve Green - Guard Your Heart Lyrics
Lyrics
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
What appears to be harmless glance?
Can turn to romance and homes are divided
Feelings that should never have been awakened within
Tearing the heart in two, listen, I beg of you
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure, it's high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your heart
The human heart is easily swayed
And often betrayed at the hand of emotion
You dare not leave the outcome to chance
You must choose in advance
Or live with the agony
Such needless tragedy
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure, it's high price to pay
Guard your heart, guard your heart
Don't trade it for treasure, don't give it away
Guard your heart, guard your heart
As a payment for pleasure, it's high price to pay
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your heart
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your heart
Video
Guard Your Heart
Meaning & Inspiration
Steve Green’s profound musical offering, "Guard Your Heart," released on January 1, 1994, as part of his album *People Need the Lord*, stands as a powerful testament to the timeless wisdom found in Scripture. This song delves immediately into a foundational principle for spiritual well-being, moving beyond simple cautionary tales to articulate a vital command for intentional living. Its essence is rooted in the biblical injunction from Proverbs 4:23, which unequivocally states, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Green masterfully translates this ancient truth into a contemporary spiritual warning and guide, highlighting the critical importance of protecting our innermost being from the insidious nature of temptation and the destructive power of unchecked desires.
The narrative of "Guard Your Heart" commences with an echo of a familiar children’s hymn, "Oh, be careful little eyes what you see," quickly evolving this simple warning into a sobering contemplation of spiritual vigilance. This seemingly innocuous opening serves as a clever entry point into a far more complex discussion, illustrating how the seemingly small, everyday choices – particularly what we allow our eyes to behold – hold profound consequences for our spiritual and emotional landscape. The song powerfully illustrates how what begins as a "harmless glance" can subtly but relentlessly erode boundaries, leading to feelings that should never be awakened and ultimately, the devastating division of homes and hearts. This directly resonates with Christ’s teaching in Matthew 5:28, where He declares that merely looking at someone with lust has already committed adultery in the heart. The spiritual battle, Green reminds us, is often lost not in grand acts of defiance but in the quiet, unguarded moments where subtle temptations gain a foothold.
At its core, the song issues a resounding call to active guardianship over one's heart, urging us not to "trade it for treasure" or "give it away as a payment for pleasure." This powerful metaphor exposes the deceptive allure of sin, which often promises fleeting satisfaction but demands an exorbitant price—the integrity and purity of the soul. Scripture frequently warns against such exchanges, posing the profound question in Matthew 16:26: "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Green's lyrics underscore the absolute value of a pure heart, emphasizing that no worldly gain or momentary thrill is worth the internal corruption and spiritual fragmentation that follow. A heart undivided and sincere, as the song beautifully concludes, is the foundation for a clear conscience and an unhindered walk with God, echoing passages like Hebrews 10:22, which speaks of drawing near to God with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith.
The song further explores the inherent vulnerability of the human spirit, acknowledging that "the human heart is easily swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion." This profound insight aligns with the biblical understanding of humanity's fallen nature, as described in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure." Green’s portrayal serves not as an excuse for moral failure but as a stark reminder of our need for divine strength and intentional discipline. The song emphasizes that leaving the outcome of our spiritual lives to chance is a dangerous gamble, asserting, "You must choose in advance or live with the agony." This imperative to pre-emptively commit to righteousness is a powerful call to proactive faith, echoing Joshua's declaration in Joshua 24:15, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." By consciously making choices that safeguard our inner world, we actively participate in our sanctification, protecting the wellspring of life that God intends our hearts to be. "Guard Your Heart" is more than a song; it is a spiritual mandate, inspiring a renewed commitment to vigilance, integrity, and the enduring purity of a heart wholly devoted to Christ.