When faced with a problem, it's always a good idea to receive counsel from a wise and God-fearing Christ-follower who loves the word of God.
Many of us, however, can't take the straightforwardness of God's word, and so we run to others who can give us "softer," more "human" and "logical" advice (as if God's word isn't any of that and more).
One of the most common phrases we hear from others when we go look for advice this way is to simply "follow your heart." Is this advice good? Should Christians follow it?
Let's take a closer look at that.
World-famous advice
The line "follow your heart" is probably one of the most popular advice lines spoken around the world. We read it in self-help and motivational books, hear it in songs and movies, and even hear it from our very own friends.
While "following the heart" seems innocent enough, what many of us don't know is that it's a dangerous piece of advice that can lead to serious problems.
And why is that, you might ask?
It's because the heart cannot and should not be trusted.
Why should I not trust my heart?
Many may not want to agree with what I will say here, but the truth is our heart cannot be trusted because it's not perfect and righteous.
Truth is, our hearts need guidance and wisdom, perhaps more than we'll know and care to admit. Proverbs 4:23 tells us,
"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."
If we consider "following" our heart as one of the best advice ever, why does the Bible instruct us to actually guard or keep it, and not follow it?
It's because the heart is deceitful. God Himself said in Jeremiah 17:9,
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?"
Perhaps some may not want to believe that, but it's true. It has been true for a very long time now, way longer than many of us want to believe:
"Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)
Did you know that the wickedness in the heart of man is not from outside interference, but from the iniquity that we receive from the fall of man? We were conceived and born in it. David says thus in Psalm 51:5,
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me."
Again, you may not want to believe that, but it's true. It's evident from our own childhood:
"Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him." (Proverbs 22:15)
"...although the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth..." (see Genesis 8:21)
Who or what should we follow?
Knowing that the heart should not be followed, we will now ask the more important question: who or what should we Christians follow?
Simple. The Lord Jesus Christ.
"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)
