Follow your heart—Is this sound, biblical advice?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The advice to follow your heart is based on the belief that the heart is a trustworthy guide. Though the Bible does not discourage the use of the heart in decision-making—we are not instructed to follow only the intellect—we shouldn’t automatically decide based merely on feelings. Instead, the Bible tells us to trust in God, rather than ourselves (Proverbs 3:5; Psalms 28:7). Additionally, Scripture warns us of the deceitfulness of the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9). In fact, our feelings may even lead us to cultivate desires that lead to sin (James 1:14). When faced with a decision, we can look to Scripture, which testifies to itself (Psalm 19:7–9; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16). Also, the Bible tells us to pray for wisdom (James 1:5). Though we wouldn’t be fully human without our heart, we must follow God’s word and wisdom, rather than feelings.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• God warned us through the prophet Jeremiah about trusting in the heart alone: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
• The heart should not lead us, nor should we blindly follow it. Instead, we are told to "trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5).
• Believers are not called to completely ignore their hearts; it’s just that our guide should be the Lord, not merely our feelings. David’s heart trusted and rejoiced in the Lord: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• We should follow our omniscient, all-good Lord, rather than our feelings. God’s guidance supersedes that of our hearts (1 John 3:20).
• God promised to give wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5), and He gave us the Bible to guide us (2 Timothy 3:16).
• When what our hearts want contradicts God's Word and commands, it is always wrong and leads to sin. James says, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire" (James 1:14).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

In the classic children’s movie The Wizard of Oz, the Tin Man was searching for a heart. But he already had what comes along with a heart: emotions. He would cry and then worry about rusting. His emotions could harm him.

Like the Tin Man, our emotions can lead us to harm. The same heart that pounds during first love can be broken later because it overruled sound judgement in that situation. Believers should never rely on just their heart to make decisions, especially when our other options are so much better: We can pray to God for wisdom, and we can seek guidance from Scripture. Neither will lead us astray, as our heart can.

In any given situation, you know how you feel. But do you know what God wants? Ask the last question first, and your decision will be right—even if you don’t feel good about it in the moment.

UNDERSTAND

• The human heart is not a trustworthy guide.
• God’s wisdom, not emotion, should guide our decisions.
• Emotions are part of being human but must be submitted to God’s truth.

REFLECT

• When have you followed your feelings and later realized your heart led you away from God's best?
• How often do you pause to seek God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture before making a decision that feels emotionally urgent?
• What steps can you take to train yourself to trust God's truth more than your emotions?

ENGAGE

• How can we tell the difference between a heartfelt desire that honors God and one that leads us away from Him?
• In what ways does God's wisdom prove more reliable than our own feelings or instincts?
• How can we support one another in choosing God’s Word over emotional impulses in difficult situations?