Hearts Lie ~ God Doesn’t
I remember once flipping through TV channels and stopping to watch Pocahontas. As Pocahontas tried to decide whom she should marry, how to react to the Englishmen, and whether or not to save John Smith, I watched a tree transform into an old woman who chanted, “Listen to your heart.” And then I watched Pocahontas announce to her father, “I must follow my heart.”
From her position next to me on the couch, my mom’s quiet, low voice chanted back: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 {KJV}).
Mom didn’t say anything else. She didn’t say whether or not Pocahontas should have married the man her father chose for her. She didn’t analyze the producer’s portrayal of the Native Americans and Englishmen. She simply quoted a verse that boils down to this: “Hearts lie.”
As I grew into a young adult with decisions to make about college, degrees, and careers, I found myself looking to my heart for guidance. I asked myself what I really wanted to do. What did I think would make me happy? Being a teacher? Being a writer? Going to graduate school? Moving back home? As I searched my heart for the right decisions, the verse Mom had often quoted whispered through me, and I realized that I couldn’t know my own heart. It was a liar.
The Bible also warned me, “Lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 {KJV}). So I began to pray, read my Bible, go about daily tasks, and wait for God to show me what He wanted me to do. And in His timing, the Lord said, “Follow me.” Follow me to graduate school. Follow me back home. Follow me to this ministry.
Each time, my heart protested: “You need financial security.” “You need to go to a school with a certain status.” “You’re not designed for that ministry.” But when I followed the Lord in faith, I found that He was right and my heart had lied. I dragged my heart down the path of submission, and then, a strange thing happened—my heart throbbed with satisfaction and joy.
[tweetshare tweet=”But when I followed the Lord in faith, I found that He was right and my heart had lied. ~ Carmen Dillon” username=”Grace_and_Such”]
Our hearts can be demanding. My heart insists that there are many things I need to be happy and fulfilled—marriage, prestige, respect, recreation. It associates pleasure with happiness. But you see, it’s not my responsibility to serve my fickle heart. Instead, my duty is to serve God. Solomon, who had access to every pleasure imaginable, concluded, “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 {KJV}).
Time and again, I have to redirect my heart so that it follows my Lord’s desires. As I diligently bow my heart to God’s will, unfulfilled desires become less important, and the dreams that are fulfilled become precious gifts. My Lord promises, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4 {KJV}).
And my Creator and Redeemer never tells a lie.
- Extravagantly Equipped - June 12, 2019
- Hearts Lie ~ God Doesn’t - February 6, 2019
- The Compelling Image - December 21, 2018
Good and faithful words, Carmen.
This reminds me when I first heard the scripture about my deceitful heart. Beth Moore was teaching at a Living Proof conference. I wrote it down and studied it more in depth when I came home. My history had been about my feelings, and my inclination was often selfish.
Your words spell it out so well: God is to be trusted in place of any other leading, and yes, our hearts can lead us astray.
I just read a testimony by a man addicted to pain pills. He’s lost everything and wonders, how will he ever be free? And I can’t help but conclude he’s being deceived. But praise God, He’s reaching out for help. He’s open to God’s truth and I pray he abides by this and not his own feelings.
God is more than able! He always has our best in mind.
This is so true! Our new pastor just preached on this last week. Such a great lesson for all of us to learn. Thank you for sharing!
Carmen I wish I had you for my english teacher in Jr high! Your students are very lucky to have you and myself for reading this article-Thank You!
Thanks for this reminder, Carmen!
“…unfulfilled desires become less important, and the dreams that are fulfilled become precious gifts. My Lord promises, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4 {KJV}).
Yes yes yes.
Thanks, Carmen, for the reminder of God’s delightful provision.