The phrase “follow your heart” is a common mantra in modern culture, often used to encourage self-expression and personal autonomy. While it can inspire people to pursue their dreams and passions, it is not a teaching found in the Bible, nor one endorsed by Jesus. On the contrary, the teachings of Jesus often point to the unreliability of the human heart and the need for divine guidance.

1. The Biblical view of the human heart

The Bible presents a realistic, if sobering, view of the human heart. In Jeremiah 17:9, it says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”. This verse suggests that the heart, left to its own devices, is not a trustworthy guide. Human desires are often tainted by selfishness, pride, and sin, which can lead us away from God’s will.

Jesus echoed this sentiment in Mark 7:21–23, where He explained that it is from within, from the human heart, that evil thoughts and actions arise. Rather than being an infallible source of wisdom, the heart is depicted as a potential source of moral and spiritual danger.

2. Jesus taught surrender, not autonomy

Jesus’s teachings consistently emphasize surrendering to God’s will rather than relying on personal feelings or desires. In the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10), Jesus instructs His followers to pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” This prayer reflects a posture of submission to God’s perfect wisdom, not a reliance on one’s own inclinations.

Additionally, in Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Denying oneself and carrying a cross involves setting aside personal desires and ambitions in favor of following Christ’s example of obedience and sacrifice.

3. The heart needs transformation

While Jesus doesn’t advocate for “following your heart,” He does offer a transformative solution: a new heart. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” This promise is fulfilled through Jesus, whose life, death, and resurrection make it possible for believers to experience spiritual renewal.

Jesus taught that this transformation comes through faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. In John 3:5–6, He explains to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Following the renewed heart, guided by the Spirit, is vastly different from following the unregenerated desires of the flesh.

4. The call to follow Christ

Rather than following their own hearts, Jesus calls His followers to abide in Him. In John 15:4–5, He says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” By staying connected to Christ, believers are able to bear good fruit and align their desires with God’s will.

This relationship involves a continual process of seeking God’s guidance through prayer, Scripture, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. It is a way of life that prioritizes divine wisdom over fleeting emotions or subjective feelings.

5. The danger of misguided desires

One reason Jesus didn’t teach “follow your heart” is the risk of misplaced priorities. When people rely solely on their feelings, they can be led astray by superficial or temporary desires. As Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” This underscores the importance of seeking God’s direction rather than trusting in personal intuition alone.

Conclusion

While “follow your heart” may sound appealing, Jesus offers a deeper and more fulfilling path: following Him. His teachings acknowledge the flawed nature of the human heart and point to the necessity of divine intervention and guidance. By surrendering our hearts to Christ and allowing Him to transform us, we find not only true freedom, but also the wisdom and strength to navigate life’s complexities.

In a world that often elevates self-expression as the highest virtue, Jesus’s call to deny ourselves and follow Him may seem countercultural. Yet it is a call rooted in love, offering a relationship with the One who knows our hearts better than we ever could.