Following your Heart
Many think that we should not follow our heart. Our heart, some argue, cannot be trusted.
I think this idea comes from one of two places. Either a lingering view of our hearts being deceitful and sick as Jeremiah told the people of old (Jeremiah 17:9), or conflation of the desires of our heart and the lust of the flesh.
Ezekiel proclaimed the promise of God to give His people a new heart (Ezekiel 11:19 & 36:26). Our heart is the seat of the desire of our spirit. What we truly desire is different from the desire, or lust if you will, of the flesh.
The lust of the flesh stems from the association of our soul with the outside world. When we make decisions based on “soulical” feelings rather than on spiritual truth, we are walking according to the flesh.
But Father is at work in us aligning our heart’s desires with what is good and godly. He works to energize us to do (resulting behavior) those godly things as well (Philippians 2:13). Our new heart wants what Father wants. Holy Spirit in us is making sure of that. Think of it this way, is it your desire to do evil, or to do good? Do you truly want to be destructive, or to build up. Do you long to hate others or to love? These are examples of your heart’s desire.
Following our heart can feel natural and comfortable. Doing the things for which we have aptitude, talent, or skill comes naturally because we were designed for those things. Some can speak or write well, others can sing or create beautiful works of art, some may be skilled at working with their hands, farming, or any number of other things. Whatever it is, we can be ourselves and rest knowing that Father is working in and through it. This is the desire of our heart.
Following our heart can also feel risky. We may find ourselves daring to respond in compassion and love. Daring to be transparent rather than hiding our struggles. Daring to risk personal embarrassment or discomfort to do things that benefit others. Daring to focus on others rather than ourselves. I can say with full confidence born of experience that such things feel risky, and we will not always choose to take those risks. I can also say that when we do, others are blessed, Father is glorified, and spiritual growth and maturity result.
We can listen for Father’s quiet voice speaking to our spirit. We can act out of the desires He is placing in our new clean and pure hearts. We can follow our hearts.
