You hear this “Follow your Heart” quoted a lot in movies and books and by well-meaning people, but what does God really say about it? Are we supposed to follow our hearts or follow our Savior? What do we do when our heart says one thing and God says another?
The Truth About Your Heart
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9
It is not your heart you are meant to follow, but the Lord. He has called you and knows you and has a good plan for you. He will guide each of your steps.
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
-Psalm 37:4
He knows our hearts and our desires. This verse can be easily misinterpreted to mean that you say you are a Christian, God will give you whatever you want. That is not what this verse is saying. It says that when you delight in the Lord and in his will, then He will give you what your heart desires. The difference being, when you desire God, you also desire what He desires.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”
-Jeremiah 17:9-10
Your heart will lie to you. Your heart does not know the best for you. But God will never lie to you, and He does have the best in store for you. He knows your heart and your mind.
In James 2:14-18 says that our faith is lived out by our actions. And this is true for everyone. Every person has a worldview, and that perspective shapes their morals, convictions, thoughts, attitudes, principles, ambitions, and goals. The way we live conveys our belief system. So, what does the way you live say about your faith? What messages does it convey to others?
Who Defines You?
When you follow your heart and let it lead your life, you fall into the trap of its definitions.
When you follow your heart, you believe it’s lies about who you are.
You let your heart define who you are. You let your heart tell you what truth is. You let your heart plan the course for your life. And you let your heart tell you that if it feels good, then it is good.
That is not what God says.
God is the One who created you and He is the only One who can define you. Jesus is called the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and His Word is truth. The author of all time is the most qualified to write your story. He has promised that His plans are good and that He has your best in mind. There is nothing that can surprise Him or catch Him off-guard. And lastly, feelings do not dictate want is good and bad. God has laid that out in His Word very clearly.
Your heart was never meant to steer your soul. Let the One who designed you and your story be the One to defines you and guides you.
Follow your heart? No. No. And did I say No? Feelings are never reliable and not worth following.
Well said!