Mark 7:21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder,

“Follow your heart.” How many times have we been handed this as a piece of good advice? In seeking help, wisdom, and guidance, we talk to loved ones, people we admire and respect, or even professional counselors. Many of these conversations end with the same type of advice: “At the end of the day, you just need to do what your heart tells you.” As if your heart is an infallible guide that will never lead you astray. This advice suggests that your heart has a pre-programmed GPS that will always direct you correctly, will never lead you off course, will thump inside you when you’re about to make a really bad decision, and will leap with joy to signal when you’re about to make a great choice. Wow! That sounds nice, doesn’t it? If only it were true. 

In the Bible, the word heart represents the center of our feelings, desires, and emotions. It also says this about the heart – “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). 

This is why I cannot follow my feelings, desires, and emotions. If I were to follow them, I’d be all over the map with my decisions. Unfortunately, if we are honest with ourselves, many Christians are just that—all over the map; completely lost in direction, stability, and functionality in their daily lives. It’s what grows out of the hearts of people that leads to corruption: evil thoughts, immoral sex, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wicked acts, treachery, sensuality, jealousy, slander, pride, and foolishness. ²³ All of these come from within, and these are the sins that truly corrupt a person Mark 7:21-23 (Voice).

To help you make decisions when asking those all-important questions (What career should I choose? Which school should I attend? With whom should I be in a relationship?), God has given you the greatest communicator of all time: Himself! Jesus has provided His Spirit. The Spirit (our helper), who now dwells inside you, speaks to you through His Word, the Bible. He leads you. Your feelings won’t guide you; Jesus will. He is your never-failing GPS.

A spiritual understanding of the law of God, and a sense of the evil of sin, will cause a man to seek for the grace of the Holy Spirit, to keep down the evil thoughts and affections that work within. Bible Hub