Contributed by ~ Jonathan Tait ~March 18, 2019
Things Jesus never said …“Follow your heart.”
A friend of mine recently said to me, “I think the worst advice I ever received in life was ‘follow your heart’.” Well I have to say that got my attention. And then as I thought about it, I too thought “follow your heart” is terrible advice.
Jeremiah 17:9 reads; “The heart is deceitful above all things…”
And then Jesus in Matthew 15:19 says; “For out of the heart come evil thoughts…”
And the 23rd Psalm opens, “The Lord is my shepherd,” not “My heart is my shepherd.”
As a Christian I know that I am called to follow Jesus and not my heart. And yet I have often been told “follow your heart” by some Christians.
“Follow your heart” – among other things – is foolish advice.
I have often failed miserably at following Jesus but that is what I try to do day in and day out. Determining right from wrong based on feelings, (and the heart is all about feelings), is a very dangerous and very unbiblical way of living.
When I have followed my heart, things have turned out, well … less than faithful.
In my desire to live into and participate in Shalom, (which I understand as “everything as God intends it to be”), following Jesus has become the only faithful way. It is also the most challenging and rewarding way.
Fortunately, Jesus found me and hasn’t ever let me go.
Sometimes though I’m arrogant enough to think I had something to do with it and border on congratulating myself. One day I just might get this death to self and alive in Christ thing right.
For now, I simply continue to stumble along often in contradictory ways if I’m honest. The Good News is God loves me. The very best news is God not only loves me but He knows everything about me and still loves me.
So, how do I follow Jesus and not my heart all the while surrounded by a “follow your heart” culture?
The answer of course is I don’t, and I can’t, and I never will.
My life seems more and more to be an exercise in giving way to the will of God and being indifferent to the outcome. A kind of long lesson in obedience, submission, and trust.
My life is often a battle between being teachable instead of thinking too much of myself and getting caught in familiar patterns and ways of being and thinking.
I used to think that I was a “pretty good guy”. But the truth is I’m not. Without Christ I’m not only not good, but I’m terrible. Left to my own abilities and devices I’m horrible.
I need Jesus, and I need Him desperately.
I can’t “pull up my boot straps” and be better. I believe sin has less to do with my behavior and is more about my DNA. Like the grain in wood so sin is in me; we’re inseparable.
Now there’s a good positive thought to go with your morning latte…sigh. But it’s true. And I prefer truth to comfort.
Without Jesus I’m lost.
With Jesus I’m better, better than myself yesterday, last year, 5 years ago and so on. There are still many areas of my life that are in need of conversion. But thankfully He isn’t finished with me yet. Man, oh man, the patience to stick it out with a dude like me – now that’s something. God is incredible.
It is said that a beggar in New York City can hear the sound of a coin hitting the sidewalk above all the clamor and noise of cars, people, machines, and the rest of the urban soundtrack.
We hear what we listen for.
I’m only trying my best to listen for Jesus, my heart does an “admirable” job at muffling out His voice far too often but I am becoming a better listener. And thankfully, I have been blessed with the company of other great listener’s too.
Things Jesus never said … “Follow your heart.”
Something Jesus did say … “Come follow me.” [Matthew 4:19]
To God be the glory.
CONTRIBUTOR ~ Jonathan Tait
HARP & STONES 
This was excellent Dylan and I am not just saying that because I’m your friend. I remember first meeting you at Embassy church and to see how much your walk with Jesus has changed you and Jessica is wonderful! Keep writing bro, this is great! 🙏
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