Often, you hear someone tell others “just follow your heart”. This advice is opposite that of the Bible. The heart of man is most wicked and cannot be trusted. No lost person has the truth in them, it is impossible.
Until a person has admitted they are sinful, incomplete, and need Christ as their Savior, they never receive the truth. God is truth and there is no truth outside of God. Once we have been born again and receive a new heart from God, we have the Holy Ghost dwelling in us; however, we continue living in a body of sinful flesh.
When a man hears the Word of God and accepts it, the Holy Ghost (truth) comes to dwell within their being. The born again are eternally secure, but can be deceived in their actions on this earth under Satan’s influence through the flesh. Even though the Holy Ghost gives man a new heart, man cannot trust his own intuitions (he still dwells in the flesh), but must receive truth from the Word of God. The Bible says, “Study to show thy-self approved unto God, a workman who needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth”.
Therefore, man should not follow his heart, but by every Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Man must search the scriptures to find the truth to every issue, not whether it feels right to him. Man is not the final say in truth; it is the Word of God that is the final say in all truth.
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Evil Heart)
Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. (Man’s imaginations are evil)
Psalm 14:1-3 1the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. 2The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Corrupt and filthy hearts)
Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (Hearts are vain)
Jeremiah 10:14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. (Hearts of idolatry)
Jeremiah 17:9 Man’s heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Deceitful and wicked hearts)
John 3:19-20 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hates the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (Evil hearts hate the light of truth)
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Vain, darkened and foolish hearts)
Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. (Foolish hearts)
Romans 1:23-26 23And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. (Idolatrous, unclean and lustful hearts)
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Man has a carnal heart)
Romans 8:7 The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Carnal heart is rebellious and hostile to God)
Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Man’s heart is incapable of pleasing God)
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (Heart of the unsaved is blinded by unbelief)
2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (Heart is corrupted)
1 Timothy 6:5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (Heart is corrupted)
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (Heart is corrupted)
Ephesians 4:17-19 17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Hearts are ignorant and blind)
Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. (Hearts are unspiritual)
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. (Hearts are defiled)
The New Testament shows the depravity of the natural reasoning in man (Romans 1:18-32). Paul makes it clear that truth revealed by God in his Word is distorted by the mind of man. Man’s reasoning is hatred of God, dishonest, worthless, and full of darkness, corrupted, lacking sound judgment, sinfully depraved, and full of idolatry. Without God’s Word to illuminate man’s heart, he has no truth in his reasoning.
Human reasoning was corrupted by Adam in the Garden of Eden and this mind of darkness toward the truth has been handed down to all men. Truth is void in man when he depends on his own understanding or feelings. Human reason must bow before Scripture and admit that some things revealed in it transcend all understanding. Only when human reasoning is in accordance with scripture can man be assured of the validity of his reasoning.
Proverbs 3:5-7 5Trust in the LORD with all thy heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A Christian or non-Christian cannot trust their heart and feelings; we must match the feelings of our hearts with the written Word. The revelation of God is unsearchable and surpasses all understanding (Ephesians 3:8, 19). Psalms 139:6 and 145:3 makes it clear that God’s mind is above our understanding and we cannot understand God’s mind unless we search for reasoning from his Word.)
Isaiah 40:13 who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath taught him? (Wisdom comes from God; we have none from our own understanding.)
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (We are unable to judge the things of righteousness in our own minds; we must use the mind of God as written in the scriptures.)
Prior to salvation, man’s mind is corrupt and in darkness to wisdom. Once man is born again, he receives a new heart (mind) from God. A born again person is a baby in Christ; he must learn the truths from God’s teachings or written Word. If we study his Word, we hide his Word in our hearts and have the wisdom from these truths to rightfully divide the Word of God with truthful reasoning.
Even though a person is born again, his reasoning is not true unless it is in line with God’s written Word. As the verses below illustrates, a man must first be born again with a new heart, then study God’s Word to let it illuminate his mind and give him wisdom from God.
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding are enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Man’s logic is fatally flawed without the truth of God illuminating it. God’s logic from scriptures has never proven false. Scientists and Archeologists have used scripture to help find scientific truths or solve problems that had them baffled.
The following example proves man’s logic is fatally flawed, although, the logic appears to be true.
“Something which is correct part of the time is better than something which is never correct”. “A stopped watch is correct twice a day while a fast or slow watch is never correct”. “It is better to wear a stopped watch than one that is fast or slow”.
These statements appear to be true, but are false. The partially correct item causes uncertainty because it cannot be trusted. The person wearing the stopped watch does not know when it is correct. The watch is worthless and is a drag on the person wearing it.
The Word of God (Logos) is incarnate in Jesus, the Son of God. The Word of God is the logic of God in the born again man. A believer is born again of this Logos, but as a baby. He then must mature in this logic and wisdom by studying and absorbing the Word of God into his mind. Only then, can he reason with the Logos (Logic of God). To follow one’s heart without the Word of God to back it up is similar to following the reasoning from a baby or small child who is unlearned.
Man’s reasoning without God’s wisdom may state his logic as truth, because it feels right in his heart. Since man has many human experiences, he often bases his logic on experiences even though they may not represent truth. Unless the experiences are backed by scripture, they cannot be trusted.
Those who speak in unintelligible tongues (Pentecostals) will tell you that it is from God because they have experienced it. However, there is not one verse in the entire Bible that validates speaking in an unintelligible tongue. They have experienced something, but it is not from God, but from Satan, the deceiver.
A Pentecostal will say it is truth, he has experienced it, and it feels good. Most people have experienced sex and it feels good, but it does not mean a person has been saved.
There are many more such events men experience, but have no validation from the scripture. The false teacher states, “If it works, it’s true”, but this is false doctrine. Truth will always be found in the Word of God.
Many false teachers proclaim man is his own god, has the spark of God in him, and does not need to be redeemed from sin. The Bible does not validate this, and actually teaches this reasoning to be false and opposite to scriptures.
The following is a true event and is a good example of man using his own logic, experience, and feelings to justify an event that is not validated by the scriptures. It is a dialogue between Sam and Bob over the issue of being “slain in the Spirit.” This has been taken from an article by Robert Morey and is claimed to be a true event.
Sam: Oh, what a wonderful time I had last night in church! I was “slain in the Spirit” and I must have lain there at least an hour. When Kathryn touched me, I felt the electricity of the Spirit and it knocked me down flat. Isn’t that wonderful?
Bob: I’m glad that you had a wonderful time in church but I’m not altogether sure that this “slain in the Spirit” stuff is scriptural.
Sam: Don’t be silly! Of course it is true, because I experienced it and a lot of other people have experienced it too. And, it felt so good to be slain. Kathryn came by me and I reached out and touched the hem of her garment and down I went. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Bob: But where in the Bible or church history do you find this stuff? Aren’t you concerned in the least if “being slain” is true according to God’s Word? We must not interpret the Bible according to our experience. Instead, we must interpret our experience according to the Bible. Wouldn’t you agree?
Sam: I don’t see what you are getting all hyper about. I know it is true because I experienced it. I don’t have to run around and prove it by the Bible or church history. But I’ll ask my pastor for the proof tonight and I’ll tell you tomorrow.
The next day…
Bob: Well, what did your pastor say?
Sam: He told me that I should not talk to you anymore. He said that you are guilty of something called “bibliolatry” because you think that the Bible is God.
Bob: But I don’t think that the Bible is God and neither do I worship it as God. But the Bible does tell us that what we believe and how we live are to come from it and not from human experience. I guess that he could not come up with any proof and just told you to avoid me.
Sam: No, he gave me all the proof I needed. Being “slain in the Spirit” is clearly taught in John 18:6 and Revelation 1:17. There! Does that satisfy you?
Bob: I don’t really think that you can legitimately use those passages. First, let me ask you something. Was being “slain in the Spirit” a blessing or a judgment of God?
Sam: It’s a wonderful blessing! I know because I experienced it.
Bob: But if this is so, how can you use John 18:6, when in that passage Jesus judged his enemies who were coming to kill him by knocking them down? Furthermore, they did not become unconscious. It was also a very unpleasant experience for them. Remember, this was not a worship service! Jesus did not touch them. As a matter of fact, in the Gospels whenever Jesus touched people, or they touched him, no one ever got knocked down.
Sam: Well, I must admit that John 18 doesn’t exactly prove my case but Revelation 1:17 does.
Bob: Sam, did you bother to look at the text at all? It isn’t enough to cite a verse. You have to examine it. Was there a worship service going on? Did an evangelist touch him? If you read the text you will find that John actually fainted in fright. He was so frightened by the appearance of Jesus that he fainted. Are you going to say that whenever someone faints in fright that this is what “slain in the Spirit” is about? I thought you told me it was a pleasant experience. Did you faint in fright the other night?
Sam: You are doing exactly what my pastor said you would do. He warned me that you would try to rob me of my experience.
Bob: But Sam, all I did was to look at the context and the wording of those passages. Isn’t this what we are supposed to do as Christians?
Sam: I’m not going to talk about it anymore with you. I know I am right because I experienced it. You could show me all the verses in the Bible until you are blue in the face and I still will not believe you.
This illustration is based upon an actual conversation. In his thinking, he was still a humanist because he assumed that his experience was the measure of truth. He did not need the Bible to tell him right from wrong, or truth from error. It did not matter what the issue was. It could be tongues, worship, healing, salvation, or God’s foreknowledge. In all these issues his experience was ultimate instead of the Word of God.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Isaiah 8:20 to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
If someone tells you to follow your heart, then tell them you will follow the Words of the Bible, that a person’s heart will deceive them.
Father Time
