There are many calls to “follow your heart” in movies, novels, slogans, blogs, and memes. Related pieces of advice are “trust yourself” and “follow your instincts.” A corollary dictum is “your heart will never lead you astray.” The problem is that none of these quips are biblically supportable.
Rather than trust our hearts, we are to commit our hearts to God: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). This passage gives an explicit command not to trust ourselves. And it gives the promise of guidance to those who choose to follow the Lord.
For anything to provide proper direction it must be based on objective truth. That is to say that whatever is consulted for guidance must reach a conclusion based on objective truth and not subjective, emotional inference. The Bible teaches that man is to follow God. God declares, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him” (Jeremiah 17:7). God has perfect knowledge of everything (1 John 3:20), a trait often called omniscience. God’s knowledge is not limited in any way. God is aware of all events that have ever transpired, are currently occurring, and will ever happen (Isaiah 46:9–10). God’s knowledge goes beyond mere events and extends to thoughts and intentions (John 2:25; Acts 1:24). It is not all this knowledge, however, that makes God a perfectly reliable source of guidance. God is also aware of every possibility, every eventuality, every imaginable outcome of any series of events (Matthew 11:21). That ability, combined with God’s goodness, enables God to give the best possible direction for people to follow.
God says this about the unregenerate heart: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This passage makes clear two reasons why no one should bind himself to following his heart when making decisions. First, there is nothing more deceitful in all of creation than the heart of man because of his inherited sin nature. If we follow our heart, we follow an untrustworthy guide.
We are, in fact, blinded to our own heart’s deceitful nature. As the prophet asks, “Who can understand it?” When we rely on ourselves for wisdom, we end up unable to tell right from wrong. The hit song of 1977, “You Light Up My Life,” contains these unfortunate words: “It can’t be wrong / When it feels so right.” Determining right from wrong based on “feelings” is a dangerous (and unbiblical) way to live.
Second, Jeremiah 17:9 teaches that the heart is desperately sick. There is no way to fix the heart. Rather, man needs a new heart. That is why, when a person comes to faith in Christ, he is made a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus does not fix the heart; instead, He replaces it with a new one.
But that does not mean that we can rely on our hearts after we come to faith in Christ. Even as believers, we are encouraged to follow God’s will over our own desires. The Bible teaches that “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:17).
We have an omniscient, benevolent Lord who promises to give us wisdom (James 1:5); we have His inspired, inerrant Word written down for us (2 Timothy 3:16). Why would we turn our backs on God and His eternal promises in order to pursue the whimsical impulses of the heart?
altruistico 
The bible is a very human collection of tribal myths and religious fiction. If you based your morals on what is in there, we would still be promoting slavery, killing rebellious children and keeping multiple wives. Did they u know that many of Jacobs children were not from either of his two wives but children of his women servants who bore them as obedience to him and his two wives
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Kia;
No one who knows anything about the Bible – knows perfectly well not to listen to you, your atheist (communistic) lies or blasphemy against it. And, as a feminist – how many babies have you supported – or even promoted – killing through abortion? You follow a false god and teaching and the truth is not in you, Kia.
I tell you this – before it is all said and done – you will fall upon your knees before Almighty God and announce He is Lord…. Whether you choose to do so before judgment or now is up to you. I tell you it will happen. God is reaching out to you – He hears your cries and awaits the moment when you return to Him. My prayer is you return to Christ who patiently awaits you. God has not forsaken you nor abandoned you – it is you who have abandoned Him. He is willing to set that all aside and forgive your sins if you will only accept and follow Him. He loves you and is calling to you… Don’t put Him off.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you. May His face shine upon you.
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Amazing amount of hostility, anger, aggression and hatred there buddy. You should really get that checked out.
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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I hear so many people tell others to follow their heart. My other pet peeve is when I hear people say “God knows my heart” in order to excuse something. God really does know our hearts, and that should be a wake up call. Everyone needs this reminder because even Christians wander down the trail of this flawed philosophy.
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Matthew;
I too have a few apprehensions about these same “pet peeves”. Especially the latter, “God knows my heart”, and it being an excuse for something (or intent). I think too they use it as a means to tell others “don’t judge me”. In either event I believe it is their pride of which comes forward the most. We both know that the “road leading to hell is paved with “good intent” or, as you say, “excuses”.
Matthew, I wish to thank you for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you, and yours, always.
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could you tell me why was this tagged with ‘atheism’? was it just ‘click bait’?
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Kia;
I sincerely believe that there are messages in the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all groups of people. I also believe what Christ said in Mark 2:17 “[On hearing this, Jesus said to them,] “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” As a disciple of Jesus Christ I am called to witness to all nations, all groups of people and to individuals. Even Christians.
“Is it click bait”? No, not necessarily. Although I am not certain it’s meaning – I believe all messages hold the propensity to capture one’s curiosity or desire to learn or to understand. The message of Jesus Christ is not limited to Christians, atheists, Jews or Muslim – but is given unto all people. Once that “propensity to capture one’s curiosity or desire to learn or to understand is created; it is my hope that it resonates within that one person (or group).” Some are called to till the ground, some to plant the seed, some to water and some to bring in the harvest.” I am merely one who plants the seed.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you.
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Click bait is where you use a picture or title or in the case of wp, a tag to bait people into reading because they believe it has to do with what you write… But it doesn’t.
It’s dishonest. You should stop it if you want to avoid mangling that 9th commandment
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Sorry, but I do not see where I am either being dishonest or bearing false witness.
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Of course you don’t. Lol
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Very very good post! This is quite Biblical but might not be popular with today’s “me” culture. I wrote something quite similar to your points here on my blog about a month or so ago: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2016/01/13/follow-your-heart-the-non-gospel-according-to-steve-jobs/
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Hello, Slim and thank you for your comments and sharing your post address. Both are greatly appreciated.
You have sparked within me something I have given little to no thought of before. The “me culture”. The affectionately named “meme’s” of the world. That group of whom believe “I can post more selfies than you.” Many of whom may not have heard the name of Jesus Christ.
What is startling to me is “I don’t even know if anyone is witnessing to this generation or culture”. It would be so alarming to know that there is not. I believe it bears investigation. I thank you for bringing this to my attention, and I invite you to investigate it yourself. Perhaps together we could start a new “tag” of meme’s in order to reach out to them in the name of Christ.
I have visited your post on follow-your-heart-the-non-gospel-according-to-steve-jobs/ and find it quite informative, as well as, on point. Especially with this me culture you address. It is easy to see how this group can be mislead when it comes to following…….
Again I thank you for your comments and for sharing your post. I hope everyone will visit it and draw from it your message.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
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Wow this was very encouraging. I look forward also as well to see you post more on this subject!
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