Don’t Follow Your Heart

“Follow your heart” has been the mantra of my generation. This message is taught to us by our culture from childhood, and though on the surface it may seem sweet, it’s actually a deadly lie.

The Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬) So if we follow our hearts, we will be following something that is wicked and that will deceive us.

We see the destructive and confusing results of a culture who has believed this lie. People believe they can be any gender they choose and they can be attracted to any gender they choose.

People believe they have the right to murder their own babies in the womb.

Following your heart is very dangerous! People follow their hearts right into having sex outside of marriage or committing adultery in marriage. People follow their hearts right into divorcing their spouse because their marriage is difficult and they aren’t happy.

But this can also creep into Christian homes in a more subtle way. A woman may follow her heart into often contradicting and undermining her husband in the way he wants to discipline the children.

A woman may follow her heart into secretly ordering things online and hiding the boxes so her husband doesn’t know.

A woman may follow her heart into gossiping about and slandering another woman to her husband and children at home simply because she got offended by her.

There are many scenarios, and obviously not just scenarios that deal with women, but since I’m here to encourage my sisters in the Lord this was my focus.

Bottom line is:

Just because you feel like doing something or maybe even feel justified to do it, doesn’t mean you should. Before you impulsively act on your feelings, stop and warn yourself that your heart may be leading you astray. Instead of following your heart, follow the Scriptures.

One antidote to being deceived by following the inclinations of our hearts is to teach and instruct our own hearts with the Word of God. Here are a few Scriptures to consider.

“My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬