There is a troubling trend of individuals mindlessly sharing quotes and memes without considering their true meaning. Without critically analyzing the content, they simply nod in agreement and pass it along to others.   I will be sharing a series of “cultural mantras” for you to contemplate and compare it with God says is true.

First, what does “Just Follow Your Heart” mean?  Here is what some people say. 

• Live the life you want. 
• Do whatever makes you happy. 
• Love yourself. 
• Believe in yourself. 
• Start something you’ve always wanted to do
• Trust your instincts

It all sounds good but notice the word “you” is woven in each sentiment.  

Urban dictionary says, “I can’t tell you if it’s right or wrong, just follow your heart”.

In the news.  I just saw a video of a guy walking into a gas station store, put on a mask, approach the clerk and begin to rob the store.  He thought he was following his heart, easy money; he had done it before.  Unfortunately for the robber, a customer was in the store who was carrying a gun (had a permit), shot the robber several times, and became a hero.   I guess following his heart didn’t work out.

Some people think some crazy things about following your heart (they’ve tagged their Facebook post with #justfollowyourheart). 

• Your heart never lies to you.
• Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to you.  Just follow your heart. You will reach the right place.
• See, live and experience life the way that fills yourself with joy, expands your heart space and flows just the way it was intended.
• There are no rules.  Just follow your heart.
• When you are not sure which way to go, just follow your heart.

As a side note, I can’t believe how many people have their Facebook set to “public”, for the whole world to see and comment.  

“Just Follow your heart” mantra is saying there is a compass inside of you that will always direct you to your own true north, you just need the courage and conviction to follow your heart. 

The truth (and the bad news) is our hearts are a broken compass that don’t show us true north; they don’t always tell us the truth.  Broken compasses will keep you in a state of being lost with no direction.

The heart is desperately wicked

First, there is nothing more deceitful than the heart of man because of our inherited sin nature. If we follow our heart, we follow an untrustworthy guide.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can understand it?”  Jeremiah 17:9

It may seem right

King David followed his heart by taking another man’s wife, then planned to have him killed, Here is what David wrote. 

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Jesus tells us what’s in hearts

Just read or watch the news (any day of the week) and you’ll see what is in the heart of man.

“out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander” (Matthew 15:19).

Follow Jesus and He will give you a new heart

What do you we do?  Since our hearts can’t be trusted, we need a different heart, a new heart.  The prophet Ezekiel reminds of us that.

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”  Ezekiel 36:26

How do we get a new heart?  When we put our trust in Jesus, we’ll get a new heart as well as the Holy Spirit.  We all need a new heart.  For those who choose to put their faith in Jesus and follow Him, there is a promise of the Holy Spirit that will indwell in us to properly guide us.  We will be a made into new creation.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

Trust in Jesus

So we need to quit leaning on our hearts to find the right path in life, we need to lean into Jesus. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  Proverbs 3:5-7

Watch your flesh

After we get a new heart, we still need to be on guard because we live in a fallen world with many temptations that surround us that pull at our flesh.   The Holy Spirit that is in us now, will try to steer you away from fleshly desires; don’t ignore the Spirit.   As believers, we need to follow God’s will over our own desires.  The Bible teaches that “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Holy Spirit.”

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”  Galatians 5:17

Don’ follow the desires of the flesh, if we do we are not in alignment with the will of God, and therefore will not inherit eternal life in heaven.    Don’t cave in to the whimsical impulses of the heart. 

Stay vigilant, as your heart can be both wicked and deceitful. It will constantly lure you towards anything that seems more gratifying than Christ. Make it a habit to wield the sword of the Spirit daily and eliminate anything that steers you away from Christ.

Choose to follow God’s heart rather than your own.