God constantly tells us to lead parts of our body and the heart is no exception. Your heart is your identity; it's the real you. Proverbs 27:19 says that, "The heart of man reflects man." Everything begins with the mind. What's in your heart determines what is pure or polluted when it gets there. The mind refers to the seat or center of human emotions. The heart refers to your intellect and will. The heart is where you ponder things; your core. No amount of painting on the outside changes the value of the rotten interior. Following your heart apart from God's leading is a new age philosophy. We hear people say all the time to follow your heart, do what your heart tells you. Following your heart usually means chasing after whatever feels good or right at the time. Proverbs 28:26 states, "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool". The Bible declares that the heart is deceitfully wicked above all who can know it? Why would one follow something so wicked?
What's wrong with following your heart?
1. It's foolish
2. It's unreliable
3. It's corrupt
Proverbs 23:19 tells us to lead your heart, take full responsibility for its condition and direction. Proverbs 23:26 tells us to guide your heart. God will place skills and abilities in your heart that He wants to develope for His glory. How do I lead or guide my heart? First, understand that your heart follows whatever you invest in. Whatever you pour your time, money, and energy into will draw your heart. When you stopped investing, your heart followed. This is true in any relationship, job, church, or endeavor. This is especially true in marriage. When you stop investing in your spouse your heart follows causing you to say things like, "I don't feel in love anymore. Secondly, check your heart. Know what has your heart right now. You can tell by looking at where your investing has gone. Next, guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Next, set your heart. Colossians 3:1 tells us to set our heart on things above. You choose to take your heart off of what is wrong and set it on what is right. Lastly, invest your heart. Don't wait until you feel like doing the right thing. Like an investment, you deposit before you see the results. Faith is our transportation system as believers; it's how we get from place to place in the Kingdom of God.
