A common phrase in society is to just "follow your heart" or "do whatever feels right". If everybody followed their heart the world would be depressed about 95 % of the time. Because the thing about the heart and its emotions is that they cannot always be trusted. Emotions waver all of the time. Sometimes we love people that are not good for us. Our minds know it, but out hearts do not. Feelings can be so full of sin such as hate, bitterness, lust, envy and so on (Matthew 15:19)...so for something to include such negativity should not always be trusted. Something that can waiver and go up and down like a roller coaster should not always be trusted. Like that saying "go with your gut feeling". Well, that gut feeling is not always what we should do. I leave some room in there for optimism because our emotions and feelings are not always bad...especially when they are GOD DIRECTED.
A heart not directed by God will often pull you in any and every direction that our desires wish to lead us. Keep in mind, I do not write this to condemn but to show you OUR need for Jesus in OUR lives...and I exemplify the word "our" because I am human and I do fall into this mistake many times.
To say "follow your heart" sounds romantic, exciting and bold to be taking such risk. But ultimately it merely means to chase after whatever feels right at the moment even if it may not be right at all. To trust in your feelings and your emotions is to accept danger while throwing warning and cautiousness out the window. Proverbs 28:26 says "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but He who walks wisely will be delivered".
Feelings are unreliable because they fluctuate on circumstance which, mind you, is not safe at all. What feels right at the peak of beautiful emotion can feel like an ugly mistake a few years later.
Jeremiah 17:9 says "the heart is more deceitful than all else and it desperately sick.Who can understand it?" - the heart is corrupt.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 says "A wise man's heart directs him towards the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him towards the left". Just as your heart can lead you to love, peace, kindness, grace and so on it can also lead you to hatred, murder, adultery, selfishness and deceit. Don't be deceived and allow the world and your self gratifying feelings to lead you into things that are ready to ensnare you.
Psalm 37:4 says "delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart". That does not mean to say that you love God is to gain everything that you want. yet it means if we are living for Him and seeking out his will daily then His desires become our own and it is His will and His desires being played out in our lives.
What does the Bible say about "following your heart"? It actually does not tell you to do that at all. The Bible presents an even greater challenge, and that is to LEAD your heart. You can lead it by taking full responsibility for its status and path.
So you might ask,"how do I LEAD my heart". Here is the instructions.
1. Proverbs 23:17 “Do not let your heart envy sinners.”
2. Proverbs 23:19 “Direct your heart in the way.”
3. Proverbs 23:26 “Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways.”
4. 1 Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the Lord our God.”
5. John 14:27 “Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
6. James 4:8 “Purify your hearts.”
7. James 5:8 “Strengthen your hearts.”
- Check your heart - Do you know where it is?
- Guard your heart - Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 6:25, Psalm 62:10
- Set your heart - above where Christ is seated. Colossians 3:1 you can choose to take your heart off of the wrong things and set them on the right things.
- Invest in your heart - because your heart is worth it. Don't wait until you FEEL like doing the right thing.
I dont pretend to know everything, but I can tell you that I know the difference of "Following your heart" and "leading your heart". Ive been in the painful places where my heart has led me. And I have been in the place of peace where God has led me.
Do you desire the things of God? Are you seeking out His will for your life, or are you going by the "seat of your pants" or "going wherever the wind blows"? It is impossible for your heart to be led by the spirit of God if you are not daily seeking him, serving him and relying on Him.
You have to make your own decisions. I tell you out of love what you need to know, while the world implores you to "just do it". God has a plan for you that is not your own. But, like you, I have had to find out the hard way. I was once led by feelings and emotions and my heart became like a rock in which hurt me so much. I pray that you will one day experience what it is like to be so blessed by God that you KNOW the direction in which you should take.
A heart that is led displays confidence, assurance and a definite lack of fear.
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