Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’ Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
Ezekiel 13:2-3
It is a very dangerous and deceptive thing to take the world’s appealing dreamy, Disney-esque advice and “follow your heart.” The false prophets of ancient Israel who were instrumental in turning God’s people away from obeying His covenant were giving popular messages, not from the voice of God, but from their own wicked hearts. They had not heard from God’s Holy Spirit, but shared words from their own spirits. Their hearts led them… and the nation… astray. Their heart-centered messages were attractive and inspirational, uplifting and “spiritual”, and led to destruction.
Scripture has some stern warnings about the inner workings of the heart (the center of emotion, will, and thoughts). In three words: It is wicked. Our hearts are born twisted. Our own souls are deceptive and destructive guides. We cannot trust our hearts. Instead, we must let God’s Word and God’s Spirit help us actively engage with our thoughts, feelings, and desires. Only then, in the light of God’s revelation, can our darker heart warp be revealed for what it really is.
- We must GUARD the heart. “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23.
- We must GUIDE the heart. “Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.” Proverbs 23:19
- We DO NOT FOLLOW the heart. “…they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.” Jeremiah 3:17
God, Who searches and knows our hearts can help us follow His heart. And in Jesus, with obedience to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can follow His way to find a new heart is remade in us. And one day our foolish, sinful flesh will be done away with. Until then we guard and guide our hearts following Jesus.
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