Keeping the Heart

A Puritan's View of How to Maintain Your Love For God

By: John Flavel

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

"To keep the heart then, is carefully to preserve it from sin which disorders it; and maintain that spiritual and gracious frame, which fits it for a life of communion with God." - John Flavel

Puritan John Flavel (1630-1691) in Keeping the Heart (originally titled: A Saint Indeed or The Great Work of a Christian Opened and Pressed) has proven to be a steady and timely friend to many over the years. Using Proverbs 4:23 ("Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life."), Flavel creates a treatise designed for all professing Christians. The aim is that the contents of the heart be laid bare, so that sin which is present is seen as sin and dealt with as a believer should and that the heart be guided to be pure in its devotion and affection for God. He does this, not with law, but by constantly pointing the believer to God's grace as the grounds and means for his sanctification. Flavel is not content to merely convey information, rather, with each point he carefully takes aim at your very soul and deftly fires shot after gospel-saturated, God-glorifying shot. Make sure you listen to this book slowly and prayerfully, allowing each purifying blow to have its full affect on your heart.

©2010 John Flavel (P)2011 christianaudio.com

A deep dive into motives and the heart

A great book on self examination and how the inner life of the heart shapes the whole of the faithful Christian.

Wonderful

Loved this book. So encouraging. This book is incredibly rich, comforting, challenging, and glorious. Brings me close to tears many times. A must read for believers.

good

It is puritanical and a little dry but worth it in its content and what it achieves.

Helped my weary heart

Good strategies for wavering hearts. Listen. I will be listening again. Take notes. I didn't the first listen. There are a few good bullet points to write down.

my depravity when compared to the Holy and Righteous GOD of all things.

When looking into a mirror and comparing myself to others I felt ok about myself. When looking into that same mirror and comparing my heart to that of Jesus I realized my complete depravity and need of Him. What a great book and so well written.