This post is part of a series exploring popular Christian sayings, examining them through the lens of Scripture to uncover truth and encourage Biblical thinking.
“Follow your heart.”
It’s the rallying cry of Disney princesses, Hallmark card writers, and motivational speakers everywhere. It sounds so empowering, doesn’t it? It assures us that the heart knows best—like some kind of internal GPS that will never steer us wrong.
But does it?
If you’re hoping this blog post will affirm your heart as a wise and reliable guide, I’m sorry to disappoint. Scripture has some hard truths for us to wrestle with on this one. So grab your coffee (or tea, if you must) and let’s see if following your heart is really the wisest path.
What Does the Bible Say About the Heart?
The Bible’s take on the human heart is, well… let’s call it sobering. Jeremiah 17:9 doesn’t mince words:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (ESV)
Deceitful. Desperately sick. That doesn’t sound like the kind of guide you’d want to trust with major life decisions—or even minor ones, for that matter. If you’ve ever had your GPS lead you to the middle of a lake, you know the danger of trusting faulty systems. Well, according to scripture, our hearts are the spiritual equivalent of a broken GPS.
In Mark 7:21-23, Jesus Himself gives a grim inventory of what comes out of the human heart:
“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
That’s quite the list, isn’t it? Clearly, our hearts aren’t naturally filled with fluffy good vibes and inspirational quotes.
What Should We Follow Instead?
If we shouldn’t follow our hearts, what should we follow? Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us a clear answer:
“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.”
Notice that we’re instructed to trust the Lord with our hearts, not follow them. There’s a big difference. The Bible calls us to bring our hearts—messy, deceitful, and sick as they may be—under the authority of God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 reminds us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
The path of wisdom isn’t found by looking inward but by looking upward.
John Calvin famously described the human heart as an “idol factory,” constantly churning out things to worship besides God (Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book I, Chapter XI). Charles Spurgeon, ever the straight shooter, once said: “Do not follow your own heart, for your heart will deceive you. It is a dreadful guide. Do not trust it; lean upon the Lord instead.” (The Treasury of David, commentary on Psalm 37:3.)
Both men remind us that the heart’s default setting isn’t godliness—it’s idolatry, self-interest, and sin.
While the Bible warns us not to follow our hearts, it also instructs us to guard them:
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Guarding our hearts means being discerning about what influences and shapes them. Are we filling our hearts with the truth of scripture, or are we letting the world’s philosophies shape our desires? This guarding is an active, daily task—not a passive one.
If following your heart is like trusting a broken GPS, then following God’s Word is like hiring the world’s most reliable guide. Think of it as trading in that glitchy, outdated app for a turn-by-turn navigator who never makes mistakes. And let’s be honest—wouldn’t you rather arrive safely at your destination than find yourself lost in the wilderness, wondering how you got there?
Conclusion
So, should you follow your heart? Only if you want to end up in a ditch of your own making. Instead, surrender your heart to the Lord, let His Word shape your desires, and trust in Him to lead you on the path of life. It may not always feel easy, but it’s infinitely better than the alternative.
More Posts in the Discerning Truth Series:
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