Guard Your Heart in Business

Guest post from Mark Chapman, (A Thrive Ambassador) Mark Chapman is a successful entrepreneur, author and owner of multiple businesses. He resides in the Tulsa, OK area. He owns and operates one of the leading pre-owned broadcast video equipment companies in the US.  

More about Mark: www.Godscraftsman.org, www.Chapmanforok.com

Guard Your Heart in Business

I remember the time in my own life when I was contemplating leaving my employer and starting my own business. Knowing I may be in competition with them, I wanted to handle it appropriately. I truly tried to examine my heart to be certain that I wasn’t just storming out in frustration or trying to get revenge. I didn’t want to plant bad seed or start my new business in the wrong way.

I sought counsel from a pastor, from seasoned business leaders, and I also received legal advice. After prayerfully considering the decision, I examined my motives again and concluded that this was something I genuinely needed to do.

With courage, I sat down with the owner. I was transparent and open with him. He was gracious, and we peacefully parted ways. That decision launched me on a new trajectory in life. I am convinced that if my motives had not been pure, if my heart had not been right, I would not have experienced the level of success and favor that followed.

The Real Starting Point

In business, we often think the beginning of a venture starts with a strategic objective, a business plan, or a lofty financial goal. While those are valuable, the true starting point is much closer than we think.

It starts with the heart.

Before launching a project—or sometimes even speaking in a meeting—it is wise to pause and do a heart check. What is happening internally? What is driving this decision?

In this Valentine’s season, we see heart symbols everywhere. But biblically speaking, what is the heart?

Scripture teaches that we are a three-part being: spirit, soul (mind), and body. I often think of the heart as the place where our mind and spirit converge. It is the control center of our motivations, attitudes, and convictions.

We’ve all experienced it: an idea makes sense logically, but something inside says no. “My head says yes, but my heart says no.” When our mind and spirit align, there is clarity and peace. When they conflict, it’s an invitation to slow down.

A Hardened Heart in Business

In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh’s heart was described as hardened. Because of that hardness, he could not hear God or respond appropriately.

The same can happen in business.

Deals go bad. Partnerships fracture. Employees disappoint us. Customers frustrate us. When strife, bitterness, or vengeance enter the heart, they cloud judgment. A hardened heart leads to reactive decisions, broken relationships, and unnecessary loss.

That’s why regular self-examination is essential:

• What is really inside of me?

• What is shaping my thinking?

• What are my true values?

• Have I allowed offense or pride to take root?

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must discern what is healthy and what is destructive.

Clean Motives, Lasting Fruit

The way we begin matters.

Businesses launched out of anger often carry that anger forward. Decisions made out of revenge rarely produce lasting fruit. But when we act from a clean heart—one aligned with integrity and guided by wisdom—we position ourselves for sustainable success.

This doesn’t mean every conversation will be easy. It doesn’t mean conflict disappears. It means we choose to operate from clarity rather than emotion, from conviction rather than reaction.

The heart is not just a spiritual concept—it is a business asset.

Conclusion: Protect the Core

Before you sign the contract.
Before you send the email.
Before you make the announcement.
Before you walk away.

Pause.

Check your heart.

Strategy matters. Vision matters. Execution matters. But the condition of your heart matters more. A pure heart protects your judgment, strengthens your relationships, and sustains long-term success.

Guard your heart well—because everything you build flows from it.

More about Mark: www.Godscraftsman.org, www.Chapmanforok.com