February 1st, 2026
By: Kara Wallis
Following Jesus, Not Our Own Hearts
Many people today are encouraged to “follow their heart,” but the Bible teaches something very different. Our hearts can be misleading because they are influenced by sin and selfish desires. Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Instead of trusting our feelings or impulses, God calls us to trust Him. When we follow our own desires without seeking God’s will, we often end up far from the peace and purpose He wants for us.
Jesus clearly calls His followers to deny themselves. He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” Luke 9:23. Following Christ is not about doing whatever feels good in the moment; it is about surrendering our lives to Him. This means choosing obedience even when it is difficult and letting go of desires that do not honor God.
The Bible reminds us that God’s ways are higher and better than ours. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”, Proverbs 3:5. When we rely on our own thoughts and emotions, we can easily make poor decisions. But when we trust God and seek His guidance through prayer and His Word, He directs our paths and leads us in righteousness.
Following Jesus also means allowing Him to transform our hearts. Rather than obeying our sinful nature, we are called to walk by the Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”, Galatians 5:16. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, He reshapes our desires so they align with His will, producing love, joy, peace, and self-control.
Ultimately, choosing to follow Jesus instead of our own hearts leads to true life. Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it”, Matthew 16:25. When we surrender our wants and plans to Christ, we discover lasting fulfillment and eternal hope. True freedom is not found in following our hearts, but in faithfully following Jesus Christ.
Following Jesus, Not Our Own Hearts
Many people today are encouraged to “follow their heart,” but the Bible teaches something very different. Our hearts can be misleading because they are influenced by sin and selfish desires. Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Instead of trusting our feelings or impulses, God calls us to trust Him. When we follow our own desires without seeking God’s will, we often end up far from the peace and purpose He wants for us.
Jesus clearly calls His followers to deny themselves. He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” Luke 9:23. Following Christ is not about doing whatever feels good in the moment; it is about surrendering our lives to Him. This means choosing obedience even when it is difficult and letting go of desires that do not honor God.
The Bible reminds us that God’s ways are higher and better than ours. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding”, Proverbs 3:5. When we rely on our own thoughts and emotions, we can easily make poor decisions. But when we trust God and seek His guidance through prayer and His Word, He directs our paths and leads us in righteousness.
Following Jesus also means allowing Him to transform our hearts. Rather than obeying our sinful nature, we are called to walk by the Spirit. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh”, Galatians 5:16. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, He reshapes our desires so they align with His will, producing love, joy, peace, and self-control.
Ultimately, choosing to follow Jesus instead of our own hearts leads to true life. Jesus said, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it”, Matthew 16:25. When we surrender our wants and plans to Christ, we discover lasting fulfillment and eternal hope. True freedom is not found in following our hearts, but in faithfully following Jesus Christ.
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