SEARCHLIGHT
Are you led by your feelings or facts?
SCRIPTURE
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9,10 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
You have heard it said, “Just follow your heart.” Somebody is giving advice to another person who does not know what to do. A decision has to be made. The person may be confused. The so-called unofficial “wise counselor” asks, “How do you feel about this deep within? What is your heart telling you? When you follow your heart, you will choose what’s best for you.”
NOT TRUE! That piece of “wisdom” is not wise. The Bible is so clear about the make-up of a person. The Bible declares the heart is not a good decision-making instrument. It actually deceives a person. Jeremiah was well aware of this God given truth. Just read again the above Scripture. A person’s emotions are not a good indicator as to what is right for a person. Feelings are real, but feelings can be very misleading. They are subjective. They lead a person to ask, “What is best for me?” not, “What is best?”
So often a person will say, “I feel that…” or “I don’t feel that…” We are particularly led by feelings when it comes to relationships with people. Marriages are up and down experiences because they are feeling-based.
When it comes to believing in God, the Bible points out: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” [Psalm 14:1; 53:1 NIV] The fool’s heart says that God does not exist. The Bible says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” [ Psalm 19:11 NIV] Just look at all of creation and you cannot help but believe that God exists.
When a person lets his heart lead him, he dismisses objectivity. Feelings are just a part of a person. Intellect must not be ignored. Common sense cannot be dismissed. And the fact that God created every human being with a spirit that is capable of connecting with Him, the Creator, is astounding.
Feelings tell a person what he wants. Objectivity tells a person what he needs. Need should far outweigh want. Knowing what you need should be based on what God says you need. He created you and, therefore, knows you best.
We need to be people who are not heart-followers but Christ-followers. Jesus declared the most important thing a person needs to do is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:30,31 NIV] Christ clearly points out that love is not just a heart issue, but involves your “soul, mind, and strength” And not just some of it, but all of it.
Don’t follow your heart. Instead, lead your heart. Direct it to what is best. What is best means directing your heart to Who knows best for you. That is not you. It is Jesus Christ. Lead your heart to do the following:
- Love God
- Love your spouse
- Love your family and friends
- Love your enemies
Begin with the Greatest Commandment. God will fill you with this divine love to fulfill the others.
Never forget God’s truth that He taught Jeremiah. Following your heart will mess you up. Leading your heart will straighten you out.
SOMETHING TO DO
Check out these Bible verses which indicate that the world you live in points you to believe in God. See Psalm 50:6; 89:5,11; 97:6; 102:25; 115:16.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I do not want to be misled by myself. I admit that my heart is not the wise way to make decisions but trusting You is. Guide me, I pray. I choose to follow You rather than following my heart. AMEN!