Unfollow Your Heart

The world tells us to follow our hearts like it’s a good thing. It means well. With every decision we make, whether it’s choosing a college, a career, a starter home, a spouse, and even a church, we want to go with what “feels right.” But the truth is that the heart doesn’t know what is best for us—only God does. We don’t like to think our hearts give us bad advice, but Jesus informs us otherwise.

In Mark 7:15 (NLT), Jesus tells a crowd of people,

“It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”

This is a far cry from those cute signs I see in a craft store. As an idealist, I find it romantic to let my heart take the lead, but God has taught me in many ways that can be dangerous. Like central headquarters, the heart is always communicating with various departments throughout the body, so it’s vital that it doesn’t send out the wrong message.

After Jesus finished speaking to the crowd, His intrigued disciples asked Him to explain further. Jesus told them,

“Out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you” (Matthew 7:21-23).

How can our hearts be so vile if God created them? I believe out of all the brokenness, the heart is just as much a part of this fallen world as we are. Because we are born in a sinful world, our hearts are naturally tainted. They like to misbehave, which means our motives don’t always honor God. But what do we follow if not our hearts? Our Creator knows more about the complexities of His creation better than we do. So, instead of following our hearts, let’s follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Let’s ask God to help our hearts be sensitive to His will and purpose for our life so we can follow Him rather than ourselves. Because when Jesus lives in our hearts, He makes all the wrong things right.

Pray with me: Dear Lord, our hearts are deceptive. Help us to listen to Your voice rather than our own, so we can follow You alone. We desire to worship You in our hearts now and for all eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.