Deceitful Hearts

Follow your heart. How many times have you heard it, said it, thought it, or done it? And how many of those “follow your heart” decisions ended badly.

In 1862, Emily Dickinson wrote, “The heart wants what it wants, or does not care.” Our heart is controlled by our emotions, and often what feels right in a moment of time is later revealed as not the best option realistically or spiritually.

Proverbs 28:26 says, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” Why does following our heart make us foolish? In Jeremiah 17:9, God says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” We can’t trust our heart because it will lead us astray and into heartache. It will guide us to irrational choices.

Instead of trusting our heart, we should put all of our trust in God and the wisdom we receive from Him. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” In the moment, we may not understand why our heart’s desire is not the best option. However, when we trust Him and seek His wisdom, we will be walking in His will for our lives rather than the sin of our own foolish desires.

Proverbs 28

‭ 1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing [them], but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.
3 A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food.
4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law battle against them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything.
6 Better a poor man who lives with integrity than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.
7 A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.
8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest collects it for one who is kind to the poor.
9 Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law- even his prayer is detestable.
10 The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.
11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great rejoicing, but when the wicked come to power, people hide themselves.
13 The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
14 Happy is the one who is always reverent, but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 A wicked ruler over a helpless people is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.
16 A leader who lacks understanding is very oppressive, but one who hates unjust gain prolongs his life.
17 A man burdened by bloodguilt will be a fugitive until death. Let no one help him.
18 The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.
19 The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man will have many blessings, but one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.
21 It is not good to show partiality- yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.
22 A greedy man is in a hurry for wealth; he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.
23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
24 The one who robs his father or mother and says, “That’s no sin,” is a companion to a man who destroys.
25 A greedy person provokes conflict, but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.
26 The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
27 The one who gives to the poor will not be in need, but one who turns his eyes away will receive many curses.
28 When the wicked come to power, people hide, but when they are destroyed, the righteous flourish.