Oh The Heart
In an effort to escape the real world many (including me) have been watching sappy “Christmas” movies, you know, the ones that have nothing to do with Christ. They are usually “G” or “PG” rated so there’s no guilt or that feeling that you need a shower when they’re over.
Generally, they have a main theme (often spoken); “Follow your heart!” In these movies this is depicted as the best route to love, marriage, success in business or getting back your best friend.
It would seem that there would be broad audiences for these movies. Parents of teenagers probably think they are less harmful than “R” rated movies and even younger children could enjoy the stories.
There are many advising our youth; “Follow your heart.” “The heart wants what the heart wants,” “Follow your dreams,” .” “You can be anything you want to be.” This one was really interesting, “Life’s trials will test you, and shape you, but don’t let them change who you are” (Aaron Lauristsen in “100 Days Drive.”).
How dangerous is this message of “follow your heart” for a young or immature Christian (or anyone else)? It sounds reasonable but it is the opposite of biblical teaching. God is pretty clear that our hearts are not trustworthy organs.
Consider these verses:
Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
Romans 1:21, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Proverbs 4:23, Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Other Proverbs point us to other problems in our hearts; the perversity in the heart (6:14, 12), lust (6:25), craftiness (7:10), the worthlessness of a wicked heart (10:20), and deceit (12:20).
It is apparent from many of the Proverbs that we must diligently work to keep the word of God in our hearts so we do not go astray or make decisions that do not consider His Word or our own holiness.
It is a real problem that the author mentioned above would warn anyone not to allow difficult times to change who they are. God often uses hard times to do just that. We can be blind to character flaws until they lead us to trouble.
In the scripture it is called sanctification. We are to be maturing in holiness all the time, growing in grace and knowledge and truth. We will not get there by following our hearts. We will get there by obeying the Word of God as we seek to glorify Him in every decision we make in this life…regardless of what our own hearts want.
Parents, teachers, pastors, counselors, and the older women and men of Titus 2 need to refrain from trying to sound current or relevant to the next generation. Because they say it in the movies, doesn’t make it right.
When someone is not sure what to do or what direction to head, following her heart is a bad idea! How about asking if she has prayed about the decision or sought guidance from the Word of God? (See Psalm 119:2)
His Word is truth and the truth will set them free (John 8:32; Psalm 119:45).