In our culture today we are constantly being bombarded with the idea that if you want true happiness in life then “follow your heart.” According to Jon Bloom: “Essentially, it’s a belief that your heart is a compass inside of you that will direct you to your own true north if you just have the courage to follow it. It says that your heart is a true guide that will lead you to true happiness if you just have the courage to listen to it. The creed says that you are lost and your heart will save you.”1
The only problem with this mantra is that our hearts, according to Scripture, are totally incapable of delivering real happiness. (Jeremiah 17:9) puts it this way: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” In fact, after the Fall, our heart became incapable of leading us to freedom, peace, joy, and happiness since it is fatally flawed and has become the seat of selfishness and self-gratification. Not only that but out of our heart proceeds great evil for we read in (Matthew 15:19): “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” The sad truth is that no one lies to us more than our own heart.
Again, Jon Bloom hit the nail on the head when he stated: “No, our hearts will not save us. We need to be saved from our hearts…because what’s wrong with our hearts is the heart of our problem.”2 R. C. Sproul went one step further when he shared: “Our calling isn’t to follow our hearts. Our calling is to have our hearts informed and directed by the clear and plain teaching of the Word of God.”3 In other words we are to follow Jesus, for not only did He say: “…I am the way and the truth and the life…” (John 14:6), but He also said: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
My friends even when we turn our lives over to Jesus and He gives us a new heart, our old sinful heart still dwells within us, and we need the Holy Spirit to overrule the thoughts and intents of this sinful vessel. When we do this we will be able to walk in victory and experience the true joy of the Lord and the sweet fellowship of walking with Jesus. So, follow Jesus, and I guarantee you will enjoy this journey called life!
1 Don’t Follow Your Heart | Desiring God
2 Don’t Follow Your Heart | Desiring God
3Amanda Kunitza on X: ““Our calling isn’t to follow our hearts. Our calling is to have our hearts informed and directed by the clear and plain teaching of the Word of God.” ~ R. C. Sproul” / X (twitter.com)