It is common today to hear some people advise others to follow their hearts. Such advice, though well-intentioned, often come from well-meaning people who have little knowledge of the import and ramifications of their counsel, if taken. Many have followed this counsel indiscriminately to their own hurt. Irrespective of how well-intentioned a person is, if his or her approach to the issues of life is wrong—owing to faulty knowledge or understanding—his outcome will be unsatisfactory, if not disastrous. The human heart is reliable as guide, only when it is in the right condition. Hence, some insight into the human heart is imperative. However, you should note that my reference to ‘heart’ in this article is not in its physiological sense, but within the context of its spiritual usage or application.
A person’s heart reflects him or her. You are not different from the condition of your heart (Prov 23:7). The heart occupies, not just an integral but, a central place in any person’s life. Where the heart goes, the life goes. It is a misplacement of priority to relegate your heart to the background in your life. If your heart does not take the lead in your efforts, the product of such endeavours will not make a lasting, significant, if any, impression on humanity. Whatever takes root in your heart will certainly bear fruit, after its kind in your life, unless the process is urgently aborted.
Why does the Bible command us to guard our hearts above all else? One of the reasons for that is that God looks at the heart (1Sam 16:6 -7). Scripture says, “…the heart reflects the real person” (Prov 27:19 NLT). Therefore, God deals with the actual person, not a distorted representation. It is possible to put up appearances and deceive people, because human beings usually base their judgement on what they see. However, God sees beyond the facade. Hear Him : “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jer 17:10).
He looks into the heart and sees its contents and condition. Though Eliab looked the part, he lacked the heart that could carry the responsibility of kingship.
The second reason, as we have seen from the scripture texts we have read so far, is that the nature and condition of our hearts determine whether what comes from us purifies and enhances our sphere of influence or poisons it. Peter’s historical question to Ananias, in this regard, is instructive : “…why has satan filled your heart to lie to the HolySpirit. …Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?” (Acts 5:3,4). Ananias and his wife attempted to deceive the church. That led to a sharp rebuke and pronouncement of judgement on them from Peter. Ananias had allowed satan to sow a wrong seed in his heart. The real problem however, was that he accepted the seed and conceived a plan by it. Had he killed the seed when satan first sowed it in his heart, the outcome would have been different.
The third reason is that, God accepts only worship or service to Him that is from the heart. See what He said to Moses concerning the Israelites and their offering :”“Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.” (Ex 25:2). His specification of the condition of His acceptance of their offering could not be clearer. The heart of the man had to be involved. This same thing is true of us today. The way the NASB (New American Standard Bible) renders the Biblical text above is further interesting :”Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.” (Ex 25:2). In as much as God does not intend that any of His children should be a spectator in His kingdom, He equally does not want any of them to serve mechanically—without the involvement of his or her heart. That was why He rebuked His people in the following words of Isaiah : ” ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Isa 29:13 ; Mk 7: 6,7 ).
The Fourth reason is that it is our hearts that determine whether God’s word becomes fruitful or otherwise in our lives. The parable of the sower proves this point. The same seed—the word of God—was sown in all four of the soil types, which represent the various conditions of the human heart. However, only in one of them did God’s word flourish. The Bible makes it clear in the gospels that the good soil (the noble heart) understood the word of God, accepted it, kept or retained it, and persevered with it until it produced a crop (Matt 13:23 ; Mk 4:20 ; Lk 8:15). The conditions that existed in the first three types of soil, as with our hearts, are both avoidable and reversible. We avoid the ugly situation by guarding our hearts above all else, as the Bible exhorts. Can you imagine how much you lose if your heart is not sufficiently receptive and responsive to the word of God? Shalom.
