Rev. Dr. Mike Wooton

Boy, when I was growing up, “Follow your heart” was practically the mantra of our culture. Movies and songs celebrated it. It showed up in conversations and on television. “Following your heart” was, and still is, believed to be the ultimate answer that leads someone to happiness. Not many people question it because it sounds inspiring and hopeful. And frankly, what do you say to someone standing at a crossroads? “Follow your heart” feels like good and safe advice. It takes the pressure off the person giving the advice and places the responsibility back on the one making the decision.

Listen, I get it. I understand why the phrase became so popular. It encourages us to be authentic, trust ourselves, chase our dreams, and pursue what seems right. It sounds like the kind of advice that leads to a fulfilling life. If I’m being honest, I’ve said it myself.

Then I encountered something that challenged one of the most accepted ideas of the culture.

The Bible never tells us to follow our hearts.

What? But I thought that is how people found happiness? Doesn’t God want people to be happy? Doesn’t God want me to be happy?

The good news is that the Bible doesn’t treat our hearts as the enemy. Quite the contrary. Jesus tells us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. God created our emotions, desires and affections. God isn’t asking us to ignore them or pretend they don’t exist.

Okay, if our hearts are good gifts from God, why wouldn’t He tell us to follow them? Well, the Bible recognizes something you and I have experienced: our hearts don’t always tell us the truth.

Here’s what I mean:

Have you ever been absolutely convinced you were 100% right, only to discover later you were 100% wrong? I have. (Just ask my wife.) Have you ever wanted something so badly that you ignored wise advice? Me too. Have you ever let anger convince you that revenge would be satisfying, or let fear persuade you to avoid something God was calling you to do? I know I have. We’ve all been there…our hearts can be terribly wrong.

The Bible knew that too. Check this out from the prophet Jeremiah, “The heart is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9). The Bible isn’t saying that every emotion is wrong or that every desire is sinful. It’s reminding us that sin reaches into every part of our lives, including our hearts. Sometimes our hearts lead us toward compassion and generosity. Other times they convince us that what feels right must be right.

That’s a dangerous assumption. Proverbs 3:5–6 offers a different way to live: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Notice that it doesn’t say, “Trust your heart.” It says, “Trust in the Lord with your heart.” Those are two very different ways to live.

The next time you’re facing a difficult decision, don’t ignore your heart, but don’t make it your ultimate authority either. Your heart makes a wonderful passenger. It just wasn’t designed to drive.

Bring your heart to God. Lay your desires, fears, dreams, and emotions before God. Ask God to shape them by His Word and guide them by His Spirit. Why? Because your heart is a gift, but the Lord is your guide. He is far more trustworthy than your feelings will ever be.