DAY 2

FOLLOW YOUR HEART… REALLY?

JON NICHOLAS, WORSHIP & CREATIVE PASTOR

I recently watched a short video by a social media influencer who passionately declared the importance of following your heart. She asserted that our hearts serve as the compass for our lives, and by listening to what our hearts say and following their leading, we would inevitably head in the right direction. This “follow your heart” creed has become a mantra embraced by billions worldwide, infiltrating our Western culture and, even now, steadily seeping into our Christian culture.

The concept of “follow your heart” has permeated our stories, books, movies, and music. It has been romanticized and portrayed as the ultimate path to being true to oneself or living one's best life. Essentially, following your heart means doing what feels right, trusting your inner self for guidance, and pursuing what brings happiness. After all, isn't happiness the ultimate goal in life? Once you discern what feels good, makes you happy, and understand your inner self, you are successfully following your heart. Your life begins to center on activities that align with your desires and emotions. While this idea may sound appealing, it can be misleading and incredibly deceptive. It places the emphasis on fleeting emotions and personal desires, which are subject to change and far too often influenced by external circumstances. When we center our lives primarily on activities that align with these ever-shifting aspects of our human nature, we risk building our foundations on unstable ground. Instead of lasting fulfillment and joy, we may find ourselves chasing temporary pleasures and constantly seeking the next source of happiness.

However, as Christ followers, it is essential to question whether this widely accepted cultural expression aligns with our faith and what the Word of God teaches. The Bible repeatedly warns against trusting the human heart:

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? —Jeremiah 17:9

For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. —Matthew 15:19

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. —Proverbs 28:26

These verses send a clear message that our hearts, left to their own devices, are unreliable sources of guidance at best but inevitably a dangerous dwelling place for sin.

Instead of blindly following our hearts, the Bible instructs us to follow the Holy Spirit and trust in His guidance to lead us. The Holy Spirit is the divine counselor and guide sent by God to dwell within believers. In John 16:13, Jesus Himself speaks of the Holy Spirit, saying, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” This divine guidance is not rooted in human emotions, desires, or personal whims but in the eternal wisdom and truth of God. Following the Holy Spirit at its core begins with

seeking discernment through prayer and Scripture. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” We must learn to rely on God's unlimited wisdom and not our own limited understanding. Our hearts can be swayed by emotions, influenced by external circumstances, and clouded by our limited understanding. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, operates with perfect wisdom, knowledge, and a deep understanding of God's plan for our lives. When we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we align ourselves with God's will and purpose, rather than our transient desires. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and seeking Godly counsel, we can discern the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Unpopular truth: To truly align our hearts with the Holy Spirit, we must wholeheartedly embrace the concept of self-denial. Following one's heart is the wide road that often leads to self-centered decisions, prioritizing personal happiness and immediate gratification, and many travel through life on it. In stark contrast, the narrow road of following the Holy Spirit demands self-denial and a profound willingness to surrender our personal desires in favor of God's purposes, and few find it. Our Savior perfectly exemplified a life in complete alignment with the Holy Spirit. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, fervently prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to align our own will with God’s, even when it necessitates significant sacrifice and selflessness.

In a world where “follow your heart” is celebrated as a life motto, those of us who follow Jesus must remain discerning as to whether our hearts are leading us down a path contrary to God’s will. We must remember that the heart, while capable of great love and compassion, can also be easily deceived by our sinful nature and the influences of the world.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have chosen to “follow my heart,” allowing the culture around me and my own selfish desires to guide me rather than Your Holy Spirit. I pray for wisdom and discernment to know and align every part of my life to Your will, living a life of surrender as You guide my every step.