Don’t Follow Your Heart

You don’t often hear that statement in a world where people look for what makes them happy to fulfill their inner desires. It is more popular to tell people to follow their heart, which generally means making decisions based on emotions or personal desires rather than solely relying on logic or reason.

But what if I told you this life is not about being happy? It’s about finding joy. There is a difference. Circumstances drive happiness, but joy happens regardless of circumstances. This concept can bring hope and optimism, knowing that joy is not dependent on external factors but can be found within through our connection with God and His love. Jesus said when we keep His commandments, we abide in God’s love, as he did. (John 15:9-10).

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11, emphasis added).

Joy is derived from a spirit-filled heart. In the Bible, the heart refers to human will and emotions. Anytime our feelings are involved, we must be cautious, warned, and prepared not to allow them to take over and disregard reality. The Bible says the heart is deceitful and desperately sick (Jer. 17:19, ESV). Allowing our emotions and desires to override the truth is easy without spiritual discernment.

While following your heart can be rewarding to the flesh, it’s essential to balance it with rational thinking and consider the practical consequences of your choices. Prayerful consideration in decision-making is critical to logical thinking since our emotions can lead us astray.

I remember a season after becoming a Christ-follower when I didn’t trust myself with making decisions because I knew the consequences of my past mistakes. I was reminded that I am not the same person as I was when I made such poor judgment, although I was still valuable and worthwhile in God’s eyes; I am wiser and make better godly choices.

With God’s help, I made a list of all the things I am now that I wasn’t then and came up with eleven things. Such as honesty/truth (I am not hiding secrets anymore), respect for my body, I have boundaries, morals, and a voice to say no, and on and on the list goes.

This is an excellent exercise for anyone questioning themselves, especially for a new Christ-follower. I can trust myself to make decisions because I do not rely on myself. I take all my decisions to God, and this makes a huge difference. So, let’s stop following our hearts, allowing our emotions to make decisions without taking them to God first, and praying for spiritual discernment and the wisdom to stay in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25).

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24, emphasis added).

“Walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16, emphasis added).

“A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones” (Prov. 4:30. MSG, emphasis added).