20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. 1 Timothy 6:20

Paul’s closing remarks to Timothy were not as generic when you stop and take a second look at them. The first part of verse 20 was just a different way of saying, “Guard your legacy.” It’s taken years to get to this point, so be careful that you don’t blow it. Paul understood how easy reputations can be ruined. Just look at how many reputations have been ruined by people posting silly things online, and often without thinking about it.

Proverbs 4:23 still rings true with us: “Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.” What’s in your heart will come out eventually, so guard what goes into it initially.

How do we do that? We regulate what goes in. It’s really that simple. What are you watching? What are you listening to? What are you doing when no one else is around?

Guard that heart. Guard that reputation. You’ve taken a lifetime to get to this point. Don’t let it go to waste because of what’s buried deep within your heart.