We are told to “Follow your heart” all the time. It is the go-to response when someone gives you advice, but doesn’t have any idea what to do themselves. Is it good advice? We hear it in movies (especially Disney), TV shows, music, and even commercials. Heck, that is usually how Kay Jewelers ends most of their commercials.
Have you ever really thought about it? Is it a good idea to blindly follow our hearts? That essential part of our body is not perfect? No part of us is. Why doesn’t the Bible have answers to questions like this? Well, actually…
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” – Ecclesiastes 9:3
Oh, well that is awkward. The Bible is filled with passages that warn us about the evils of man’s heart (Psalms 10:2; Matthew 15:19; Romans 1:24). But, if we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior then maybe, just maybe, we can understand our heart. This would enable us to know when to and when not to follow it.
I suggest re-reading Jeremiah 17:9. It specifically asks, who can understand the heart? Our hearts will deceive us and following them will ultimately be our downfall. This isn’t to say they are never correct. However, God’s infallible Word is always correct and can always be trusted. If your heart is leading you astray from what His Word teaches us then maybe you need to tell Disney to shut up.
Ultimately, it is up to us. Whether we give into our flesh or ignore it is on us. The heart is just one of many things that will try to deceive you.
I love this subject and I appreciate the article Wesley. I hope I can expound upon your article briefly while noting that you’ve done a great job with showing what the Bible says on this matter. I’ve discovered through Biblical studies, fellowship, life experiences and observations that “following your heart” is just a secular phrase that often misleads people. To keep it short, I simply site courtship and marriage as an instance where we must understand what that phrase even means. There are myriads of evidence to show how following hearts has often lead to disaster. Love is actually a choice. It’s a long term commitment. Body chemistry and “your heart” have no solidarity on which courtship and marriage can possibly hope to rely on. Any disagreements to this will most likely be sorted with semantics. Following the Holy Spirit is the only innate thing we must rely on.
Trust God. Follow the Holy Spirit.
On a lighter note: I choose to take the optimistic route with Disney in saying that they wanted to say Holy Spirit but had to choose heart. It’s no coincidence that Jiminy Cricket (the character representing good choices and a conscience) shares initials with Jesus Christ. “Always let your conscience be your guide!” = “What would Jiminy Cricket do?” = “What would Jesus do?”
I totally agree with this. My wife and I preach it all the time to anyone who will hear it. I could write quite a long essay on this subject with experiences and observations.
It could of been longer, but this was just the script for the video I created (up top).
Very awesome article. One thing I heard while watching the movie Fireproof that I think goes with this is when Caleb is told by his Christian friend, “Don’t follow your heart, because your heart can be deceived. You have to LEAD your heart.”
Good point 🙂