Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

One of the songs I remember singing as a kid growing up in church had a couple lines in the middle that went something like, “Prone to wander Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.” In my simple faith I recall thinking how silly that sounded. It seemed even sillier when I looked around and saw so many mature godly saints singing the same words. Now that I’m older I get it!

I can’t help but think of the writer of Romans, probably the Apostle Paul, who shared the same sentiment. He spoke of not doing the things that he knew he should do and doing the very things he knew he should not. Here’s a close follower of Christ, who even struggled to consistently obey and follow.

It seems this affliction; this bias toward wandering away from God is common among all believers. Not that it makes it any easier but it is helpful to understand that it is part of our struggle this side of heaven.

There are really only two things a person can do. Guard your heart against the things that cause you to fall away and keep coming back when you find you’ve wandered off. This is the battle we will fight until we see Jesus. Ultimately it’s the fact that my heart wanders is the very reason I need Jesus’ work on my behalf. I’m so glad it doesn’t depend on me!

2 Corinthians 5:21(NIV)
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.