“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” Proverbs 4:23
Notice, the Bible doesn’t say to follow your heart but to watch over it. That’s because the heart is critical to everything we do. It contains our emotions, affections, motives, and attitudes. If any one of those things is out of kilter with God’s Word or God’s will, following your heart will lead you astray. Scripture uses the word “heart” hundreds of times; so we know it’s an important topic.
The heart reflects who we really are. No matter what image we try to project, our true motives and attitudes cannot be hidden from God. “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Our spiritual condition isn’t based on what others think about us but on what God knows about us.
We think about how to avoid a particular sinful action. God points to the root of that potential behavior in the heart. Remember, Jesus said, “everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). If we’re already guilty inwardly, why not act on it outwardly? Because the consequences of the physical act are far worse than the attitude.
Don’t underestimate the danger of toying with sinful thoughts. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). You see, every sinful act starts as a desire, longing, or craving in the heart. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:21–23).
“Follow your heart” may sound good but it’s dangerous advice. So how do you watch over your heart? You learn to recognize sinful thoughts and desires by spending time in God’s Word. Think back on the last week. Which attitudes, motives, or affections were out of line with Scripture? Confess them to the Lord. Pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). The next time you feel the pull to follow your heart, follow Jesus instead!