Follow Your Heart?

How many times have you heard this phrase:  "Just follow your heart."  What does that really mean?  Does it mean we should do what we know is right?  Does it mean we should do what we feel?  I am inclined to think that for most people, following the heart means acting on our deepest feelings.  We have been made to believe that following our dreams or following our "heart" is what will bring true fulfillment and happiness.  Our world is saturated with this "positive" message.  We see it everywhere from movies to books to reality shows to commercials.  

Have you ever read what the Bible says about the "heart"?  Jeremiah 17:9 says, 

The heart is more deceitful than all else and 

desperately sick.  

Who can understand it?

Desperately sick??  

Deceitful??  

When I read that scripture, I am reminded of the stark contrast between the message of the world and the message of the Word.  According to the Bible, following the heart can be a very dangerous thing.  But with so much emphasis being placed upon it for the "good-doers" of the world, where else do we turn?  The answer is found in Galatians 5:16, 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, 

and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

God never tells us to follow our hearts, only to follow the Holy Spirit.  Our hearts simply can't be trusted!  Only God's Spirit is steadfast.  How do we know the difference?  We start with fixing our minds on things above by reading His Word, praying/listening to Him and seeking Him daily.  

It is sometimes very difficult, but when we choose to follow the Spirit instead of our own hearts, God promises that we will receive His blessing and peace.  There is nothing that will bring greater fulfillment or happiness than that.